Staff reports | Here are some recent stories impacting South Carolina politics:
Politics of abortion cause behavior change. As politicos in South Carolina continue to grapple whether to approve a more restrictive abortion law, data show more women are seeking access to safe abortions out of the state, according to this story by The State. The number of abortions performed in the Palmetto State is half of what it was 20 years ago, but the overall number of S.C. women getting abortions is about the same — because they’re getting health care outside of the state, the story said.
- Here’s a link that offers a look at tough abortion bills under consideration.
- Meanwhile, Charleston restaurants are wading into the battle by having bake sales later this month. ‘
In other recent news:
Immigration debate hits home. Protesters in Charleston are calling on U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to demand closure of child detention centers in the news for having squalid conditions, according to WCSC. The Charleston protest was part of a national day of action to close camps. Highlighting how the issue might become part of the 2020 election in which Graham is running for another six-year term, protesters carried signs that said, “We will remember this in 2020.”
Harrison shows mettle. One of Graham’s Democratic opponents, Orangeburg native Jaime Harrison, raked in more than $1.5 million in second-quarter donations, surprising many political observers. The large cash haul highlights how Graham may be more vulnerable among a General Election electorate than previously thought. But to take on Graham, Harrison first has to beat Georgetown County native Gloria Bromell Tinubu, an educator and economist.
Santee Cooper picks new CEO. Mark Bonsall, a retired Arizona public power utility executive, has been tapped to be the next CEO of Santee Cooper, despite its shaky future. More.
New laws go into effect. A host of new laws on the books are now in effect, according to this story:
Pay raises. Some 32,000 state employees will get 2 percent pay raises, while 52,000 teachers will get an additional 4 percent. All totaled, increases will cost about $220 million in state funds.
Gas tax hike. As part of a deal a couple of years back to improve state roads, the state’s gas tax will go up an additional 2 cents per gallon. It will rise another 6 cents over the next three years.
Smaller college tuition hikes. The state is spending an additional $36 million to keep in-state tuition low.
New cabinet agency. As of July 1, the Department of Veteran Affairs is a cabinet-level agency reporting to the governor. Previously, it was a division in the Department of Administration.
2020 candidate calendar
Throughout the presidential campaign season, we are working to keep South Carolina informed of candidate events in the state. Have an event you want us to know about? Email us at 2020news@statehousereport.com. In the coming days:
Biden to have town hall, more: Former Vice President Joe Biden will host a town hall at 3 p.m. Sunday in Charleston at the International Longshoremen’s Association hall on Morrison Avenue. The meeting is the second hosted by state Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston. Biden also is expected to campaign Saturday in Sumter and Orangeburg. More.
Harris to make Pee Dee stops: U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, will make her ninth stop to the Palmetto State with visits at 1 p.m. Sunday at Jerusalem Baptist Church, 301 S. 6th Street, in Hartsville, followed by a Florence town hall at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at New Ebenezer Baptist Church, SHEREC Building, 307 S. Ravenel St. Then at 12:30 p.m. Monday, she’ll have a town hall in Horry County at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 2101 N. Oak Street, in Myrtle Beach.
Looking ahead
Click below for other items coming up in the Statehouse:
Find any bill
- House bills
- Senate bills
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!
Pingback: On the politics of abortion, immigration and more | PublicFigure-Media