Why we’re voting “Yes” on Amendment 1

Education
Blog · October 22, 2018

On November 6, South Carolina voters will be asked to vote on one of the most important ballot initiatives they may have never heard of: whether or not to appoint or elect South Carolina’s Superintendent of Education. A “good government” reform that has been discussed since the days of Governor Carroll Campbell, Amendment 1 on

SC lawmakers set to hear proposals for future of Santee Cooper

Energy
Blog · October 18, 2018

The South Carolina General Assembly will soon hear buyout offers for Santee Cooper. Following a two-hour meeting, according to The State, state lawmakers contracted with a consulting firm on October 17 to study the sale of the state-owned utility as well as field prospective candidates for its purchase. The firm, ICF International, will serve as

Ratepayers furious at SCE&G: “an electric bill almost as much as your mortgage”

Energy
Blog · September 26, 2018

The mood in the room was tense but orderly as SCE&G ratepayers from around Columbia waited their turn to testify before the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC), the body legally charged with regulating South Carolina’s monopoly investor-owned utilities. Recurring calls for justice, accountability and energy competition emerged as seniors, business owners and activists testified

Stronger Together: Expanding Opportunity Through School District Consolidation

Education
September 6, 2018

Download this report here.  During the 2017-2018 legislative session, an old proposal became new again: the idea of merging several of South Carolina’s smaller school districts together with neighboring districts to form larger ones. This short paper seeks to gather facts, statistics, and previous comprehensive studies on the issue to find answers to the question

Santee Cooper execs appear before state commission

Energy
Blog · August 31, 2018

Last week, Santee Cooper finally got their day in court. Interim President & CEO James (Jim) Brogdon, Jr. along with General Counsel Mike Baxley, CFO Jeff Armfield and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Pamela Williams appeared before the General Assembly’s Public Service Authority Evaluation & Recommendation Commission to update the legislature on the state of their agency and to be cross-examined by a panel that included the Governor himself.

Journeys Beginning and Ending

Education
Blog · August 24, 2018

We sent two off to college this week. One transferring as a junior into the orange world, the other starting out as a freshman under the garnet flag. Because I attended both universities, I have to admit it gives me great joy to know that at some time this week, one will walk through the doors of Sirrine, the other Gambrell.

Bombs away? The Truth about Education Lottery Spending

Education
Blog · August 10, 2018

Earlier this summer, the South Carolina Legislative Audit Council (LAC), a watchdog created by the General Assembly to review the performance and fiscal integrity of state agencies, issued a report on the state’s use of funds generated by the South Carolina Education Lottery for its core purpose, education. When the report appeared, one Democratic State