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Archive of South Carolina on Wednesday May 07, 2008
Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors
When an elderly person with dementia is lost, seven states can trigger a Silver Alert to let the community know. Proposals in Congress would expand the successful missing persons program to all 50 states. Read More
Senate adopts amendment to raise cigarette tax by 50 cents
The Senate on Tuesday adopted an amendment to raise the cigarette tax by 50 cents per pack and to allow for automatic future increases tied to medical inflation. Read More
Homeless students on rise at schools
The number of homeless students attending Columbia-area schools has increased dramatically in the last three years, according to an analysis of numbers from the State Department of Education. Statewide, there are 6,033 homeless students, an increase of about 4 percent since 2005. Read More
Dist. 112 candidates are alike in many ways
Both candidates in the state House District 112 race say they wouldn't be running if Ben Hagood were seeking re-election, and both vow to continue his work to control growth, rein in spending and promote government restructuring. Read More
House expected to resume debate on illegal immigration
The South Carolina House is expected to resume debate on legislation to slap employers with hefty fines for knowingly hiring illegal workers. Read More
Tax on smokes may benefit uninsured
As many as 200,000 uninsured South Carolinians could get health-care coverage if the state Legislature sticks to a plan to increase the cigarette tax by 50 cents a pack. Read More
SC Senate resuming cigarette tax debate
Tax increase opponents plan to test their strength in the South Carolina Senate as debate resumes on increasing the cigarette tax. Read More
Senator to face Upstate solicitor
The 7th Circuit Solicitor's Office has been asked to prosecute state Sen. Randy Scott on driving under the influence charges. Scott, R-Summerville, was arrested April 19 after a Dorchester County sheriff's deputy said he saw the lawmaker driving erratically. Read More
S.C. to mark war anniversary
South Carolina's observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War would be overseen by a new board under legislation approved by a House committee. Read More
SC House to take up $7B budget amendment
The South Carolina House is expected to take up an amendment to the $7 billion state budget the Senate approved last month. Read More
Farmers say state's plan won't solve all problems
COLUMBIA, S.C. --- South Carolina farmers say the state's plans to clamp down on illegal immigration will only cause confusion, hurt the economy and will not solve the problem. Read More
3 questions about raising the state's cigarette tax
Senate lawmakers agreed Tuesday to raise the state's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax. The Senate could finish debate on the proposal today. Three questions that must be settled before it becomes law: Read More
Wal-Mart selects 20 capitols, including Pa.'s, for energy audits
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has announced partnerships with Pennsylvania, 18 other states and Puerto Rico to help them save on energy and electricity costs at their capitols. Read More
Execution is first since ruling
Georgia executed killer William Earl Lynd last night, ending a more than seven-month nationwide hiatus on capital punishment prompted by the Supreme Court's examination of lethal injection. Read More
Will states fix 2012 primary process?
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Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More
Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views. Read More
Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure. Read More
With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say. Read More
More states offer choice in long-term care
More states are poised to offer a successful alternative to traditional Medicaid plans that allows elders and the disabled to avoid moving to a nursing facility by hiring friends, neighbors or family members to look after them in their own homes. Read More
Credit crunch hits states' college loans
(Updated 11:55 a.m. EDT, April 23, 2008)
The credit crisis has led some state lending agencies to suspend their federal and private student loan programs, forcing thousands of students to search elsewhere for money to pay for college. Read More
Partisan mix in R.I., Conn. poses challenges
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Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
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'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
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Governors pitch ambitious programs
Billion-dollar deficits in California, New York and Arizona haven’t stopped governors there and elsewhere from proposing big-ticket items for 2008. Stateline.org looks at proposals from governors’ 2008 "state of the state" speeches and provides an exclusive summary of all the addresses so far.
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Summary of the State of the State Address
Gov. Mark Sanford (R) repeated his goals for the state during his Jan. 16 speech before the Republican-controlled Legislature: restructuring the government, installing tougher drunk-driving laws and increasing tax cuts. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. Read More |
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