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Flag removal. A new Winthrop Poll shows two-thirds of South Carolinians support the decision to take the Confederate flag off Statehouse grounds earlier this year. That’s an increase from just one-third of residents a year ago. The survey showed just over half of whites and Republicans thought the flag should come down, while more than 90 percent of blacks and 83 percent of Democrats did. See full results.
Planned Parenthood. Despite a partisan effort to roust the state’s Planned Parenthood clinics, the state said that it paid for no abortions by the organization over the last five years. Also this week, the organization’s two clinics will remain open after bypassing a threatened suspension brought on by what some call a political witch hunt.
In the middle
Finally. Thanks to Gov. Nikki Haley and DSS Director Susan Alford for agreeing to increase protections for children in state custody. It’s a shame that residents — and children — had to wait for a class action lawsuit to force the state toward such common-sense action. More.
Gowdy. It’s probably a good idea that South Carolina Congressman Trey Gowdy says he isn’t going to try to be House Majority Leader. We just wish he’d end the longest standing congressional investigation ever — the probe into what happened at the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi. The inquiry has become a waste of taxpayer dollars.
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General Assembly. Thumbs down to state legislators for thumbing their noses at the state Supreme Court, which wants lawmakers to come up with a reasonable education funding plan by February. Legislators say the court is venturing into legislating by forcing a deadline Hogwash. Courts set deadlines all of the time. Let’s not wait this time for 20 years for lawmakers to act. (It took longer for the courts to get their acts together.) More.
Storm. Be prepared for drenching weekend rains and flooding. You know things look back when the Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore sets up show in South Carolina.
Harrell. The former speaker owes $113,000 in campaign money that must be repaid following his conviction on ethics charges. It was supposed to be paid by now, but he says he’s consulting with attorneys about how to proceed. More.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!