Due to deadline pressures last week, we missed completion of the Scorecard. Therefore, this week’s installment includes the last two weeks. Enjoy.
Thumbs up
Haley. Congratulations to Gov. Nikki Haley on her appointment to become the nation’s next ambassador to the United Nations.
McMaster. Congratulations to Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster who will become governor when Haley steps down.
Zuckers. Hats off to this Charleston family for donating $6 million for the state’s aeronautical training center at Trident Tech.
Powell. Congratulations to attorney Hartley Powell, who will take over as head of the state Department of Revenue on Jan. 2. More.
Harrison. S.C. Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison launched a bid last week to become head of the Democratic National Committee. More on Harrison.
McNairs. Thank you to Texas philanthropists Bob and Janet McNair for their $8 million gift to start an entrepreneurial training institute at the University of South Carolina. More.
In the middle
Beaufort Black Chamber. We’re saddened that the new Black Chamber building in Beaufort burned in recent days, but we’re heartened that the cause was accidental not intentional.
Graduation rate. South Carolina’s high school graduation rate is up 2 percent to 82.6 percent, touted by some state leaders as a testament to collaboration to improve education. Others, however, say the rate isn’t a true measure of college readiness. More.
DHEC. Thumbs up to the agency for suspending proposed changes to abortion laws after getting hundreds of comments during a public discussion period. Now let’s hope the agency puts off ill-conceived, poorly-drafted updates that would put women’s health at further risk. More.
Thumbs down
Clyburn role. We’re not happy to hear that the leadership post for U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, South Carolina’s highest-ranking and longest-serving congressman, may be phased out in the U.S. House. Fingers crossed it doesn’t happen. More.
Wildfires. The mountain wildfires have been giving breathing problems to people across South Carolina. Here’s to hoping the great work by firefighters around the region will be done soon and that weather conditions will improve.
Roof hearing. We understand that there may be some sensitive things regarding the competency of Dylann Roof that required a federal judge to close the process. But it’s better for democracy for the hearing to be held in public, not private. More.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!