Thumbs up
Graham. Hats off to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham for supporting a modicum of gun reform to bar suspected terrorists from getting guns. This is the least of what should happen.
Clyburn. A big pat on the back to U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., for leading a sit-in on the U.S. House floor to protest inaction on dealing with gun violence. While the sit-in didn’t cause change, it is, as noted by civil rights veteran John Lewis, D-Ga., a good step forward to push for change.
Ethics reform. Gov. Nikki Haley this week signed two ethics reform measures that have been years in the making. Now the legislature needs to finish the job with more transparency and accountability with additional reforms.
In the middle
Tuition increases. It’s the season for colleges and universities to announce tuition increases. In recent days, we’ve seen reports of raises from The Citadel, +2.4 percent; Clemson, +3.14 percent; Coastal Carolina, +3.29 percent; College of Charleston, +3.5 percent; and Winthrop University, + 2.5 percent. We understand why increases are needed but wish the number could be zero.
Thumbs down
Candidate ruling. We believe state Circuit Judge Doyet Early III got it wrong in a challenge to the electoral status of a Charleston County state Senate candidate. While parties qualify candidates, state law says voter registration and election boards can determine whether a voter is an elector in a district — which goes to the heart of whether someone can run for office in a particular seat. More.
Not best place to grow up. South Carolina remains at the bottom of the pile in its ranking by KIDSCOUNT on children’s well-being. Compared to the rest of the nation, it is 41st out of 50 in being a state where it is good for kids to grow up. A tiny bit of brightness — last year, we were 42nd. More.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!