The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from South Carolina

Despite Governors’ Opposition, Strong Southern Support for Medicaid Expansion

New poll shows Deep South politicians are out of step with their constituents on Medicaid expansion.

Voting Machine Costs in South Carolina

South Carolina’s touch-screen voting machines do not have voter-verified paper audit trails, and adding them would cost the state more than $17 million, found a report released by the South Carolina General Assembly Legislative Audit Council. Glenn McConnell, then president pro tempore of the state Senate, who had concerns about the reliability of the machines and the lack of a paper trail, requested the audit in 2012.

Rural States Struggle to Reduce Road Deaths

Why some states have a lot of traffic deaths is linked to rural roads, seat belts, drunk drivers and speed.

Why Tax Revision Is an Inexact Science

Several governors are talking about major change in their state tax structures this year. How do they know how much money a revised tax system will bring in? Often, they don’t.

South Carolina State of the State Address 2013

COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- Jan. 16 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Nikki Haley's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Public Safety in South Carolina

Public safety in South Carolina.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: South Carolina

How well is South Carolina protecting kids from tooth decay?

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: South Carolina

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Voter ID Rulings Vex Administrators Ahead of Election Day

Recent court rulings and ongoing lawsuits have prompted widespread concerns about whether election laws can work smoothly next Tuesday.

Online Voter Registration Now Offered in 13 States—Driving Thousands of New Registrants and Updates

Since July, California, Maryland, New York, and South Carolina have introduced online voter registration, bringing to 13 the number of states that currently offer this service. Increased use of online registration and new technologies adopted in these states has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of registered voters.

States Roll Out and Expand Online Voter Registration, Increase Efficiencies

In Nevada, new registrations jumped following a campaign to promote online registration, including television and radio ads, meetings with business leaders and students, and promotional outreach for National Voter Registration Day.

Federal Court Clears South Carolina Voter ID Law

A federal court has cleared the way for South Carolina’s voter ID law to be in place in 2013, despite the Justice Department’s decision to oppose the law.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in South Carolina

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Six of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in South Carolina and hold 51 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in South Carolina may be paying.

Wisconsin Voter ID Law Unlikely to Apply in November

Wisconsinites this November won’t likely need to show photo identification at the polls. That’s because the state Supreme Court says it won’t immediately consider whether to reinstate a voter ID law blocked in a lower court.

S.C. State Workers Challenge Health Insurance Hike

This year, the South Carolina legislature budgeted to give state workers, university employees and teachers their first raise in four years in exchange for increasing what they contribute to their retirement plans.

Art for the Economy’s Sake

After years of budget cuts, state funding for the arts is making a comeback.

For Some States, Medicaid Expansion May Be a Tough Fiscal Call

GOP governors appear poised to leave federal dollars on the table.

With New Fiscal Year Looming, Government Shutdowns Unlikely

A year after Minnesota’s three-week shutdown, New Jersey is the state that appears at greatest risk of starting the fiscal year without a budget.

Widening Gap Update: South Carolina

Although South Carolina consistently paid its full annual pension contribution from 2005 to 2010, the system was 66 percent funded in fiscal year 2010 and faced a $15 billion funding gap. Most experts agree that a fiscally sustainable system should be at least 80 percent funded. The state also had a $9 billion bill for retiree health care costs, only 5 percent of which was funded, slightly below the 8 percent national average in 2010.

Best of #StateReads: Getting Aggressive With Pension Investments

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Public School Alternatives Gather Steam in States

Louisiana gave advocates of charter schools, vouchers and other publicly funded education alternatives everything they could have asked for, but opposition remained fierce elsewhere.

North Dakota Voters Sidestep Controversies

On an Election Day that featured intraparty legislative races in several states, North Dakota voters shied away from several controversies over the University of North Dakota's “Fighting Sioux” nickname, protections for religious liberty and local property taxes.

Time Served in South Carolina

The average offender in South Carolina released in 2009 served 2.3 years in custody, 33% more than the average offender released in 1990.

Delaware Gov Defends Common Core

A handful of states are reconsidering their pledges to adopt the common national standards in English and math, citing concerns about federal intrusion into the states. Supporters say that’s misguided.

Indiana Gov Squashes VP Speculation

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels said Sunday that if Mitt Romney asked him to be his running mate that he would “demand reconsideration” and send a list of people who “could suit better.” But he declined to say what names would

Is it Really a Great Day in South Carolina?

Governor Nikki Haley’s mandatory telephone greeting for state employees has gotten mixed reviews since it went into effect in September, but the governor sees the policy as a wholly positive development.

Home Visits Help Families, Save Money

If a social program with a strong research base helps at-risk parents and children -- and saves taxpayers money -- how can we make it as efficient and effective as possible? That's a question the South Carolina legislature will be addressing this year.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley Rallies GOP Women

In a visit to Washington’s conservative American Enterprise Institute this week, the state’s first female governor promoted her new autobiography and encouraged women to consider running for office.

GOP Governors Examined as Potential Running Mates

Several Republican governors have already taken their names out of consideration for the second spot on the national ticket.

Best of #StateReads: Wyoming Depends on Business to Reduce Workplace Deaths

This week’s collection of #StateReads covers on the job fatalities in Wyoming, secrets in Alabama’s execution protocol and the far reaching effects of drought in Texas. These examples of extraordinary journalism about state government were recommended in tweets using the #StateReads hashtag on Twitter.

South Carolina Considers Private School Tax Perk

EDUCATION BEAT: Parents would see an average of $205 in tax savings for each student they have in private school, according to a state estimate.

Letter to the Editor: Money Spent on Early Childhood Education Would be Wise Investment

Last November, nearly 400 business leaders came together in Florence to learn about the latest research regarding early childhood development. Those who attended the Pee Dee Regional Business Leaders’ Summit on Early Childhood heard compelling information about the value of investing in the earliest part of a child’s life — and now I and other state legislators have an opportunity to take action to help South Carolina’s children.

Revisiting Dead Voter Allegations in South Carolina

Following up on a dispatch from earlier this year, further investigation by the South Carolina State Election Commission (SEC) found no conclusive evidence of ballots fraudulently cast by deceased voters.

States Try to Help Veterans Find Jobs

With U.S forces out of Iraq and combat troops slated to leave Afghanistan in 2013, states are readying for an influx of returning troops who will be looking for work.

Governor Promises Tough Session for South Carolina Unions

ECONOMY & BUSINESS BEAT: In this year's legislative session, Republican Governor Nikki Haley says, "We'll make the unions understand full well that they are not needed, not wanted and not welcome in the state of South Carolina."

Eastern Ports Scramble to Get Ready for New Panama Canal Era

As the Panama Canal expands to allow larger cargo ships to pass through, states along the Eastern Seaboard are maneuvering to make their ports compatible with the bigger and more lucrative vessels. But there is no guarantee the expensive bets will pay off.

Data in South Carolina Answers Questions about Deceased Voters on the Rolls

New data in South Carolina provide insight into whether voters flagged as potentially deceased on the state’s rolls had ballots cast in their names.

South Carolina Budget Board's Days May Be Numbered

TAX AND BUDGET BEAT: For decades, South Carolina governors have been trying to consolidate power by killing the state's Budget and Control Board. This year, it may finally happen.

South Carolina State of the State Address 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Jan. 18 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Nikki Haley's (R) 2012 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the General Assembly, Constitutional Officers, and my fellow South Carolinians: This and every year, we will con

Primaries Dispatch: Thousands of Military and Overseas Ballots Already Cast in Upcoming Elections

With primaries fast approaching, election officials in South Carolina, Florida, and Missouri have been busy sending ballots to military and overseas voters, as required by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) and in accordance with the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act of 2009.

Home-Visiting Legislation Can Mean Better Outcomes for Families

When I talk with families from Spartanburg about the challenging issues facing South Carolina, they tell me they want their hard-earned tax dollars to be spent wisely—on programs and services that actually deliver results.

Election Websites: South Carolina

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

No Child Left Behind Waivers Require Big Changes Fast

Many states seeking a waiver from the 10-year-old education law will be required to overhaul their education policies over the next few months in order to meet federal application requirements.

States Retool Food Stamp, Benefits Systems

A number of states used to make food stamp recipients pass a fingerprint test. Now all but one has stopped, to save on staff time and ease the burden on the clients.

Infographic: Southern Strength

Republican dominance in the South started with presidential elections and only later came to statehouses.

New Policy Means It's Always 'a Great Day in South Carolina'

TODAY'S TAKE: To improve her state's image, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is asking state workers to answer their phones by saying, "It's a great day in South Carolina. How can I help you?" It's not the first time a governor has intervened in state workers' etiquette.

South Carolina Governor Faces Scrutiny Over Trips

TODAY'S TAKE: South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, a Tea Party-backed conservative who has urged fiscal restraint, is fending off criticism over expensive trips she has recently taken, including a taxpayer-funded economic development journey to Paris and Munich.

South Carolina Struggles to Pay Its Road Bills

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: An influx of cash from the federal government helped South Carolina start to pay its road construction bills on time again. But the money shortage has forced the state to put off projects, and legislators want to find out more.

Texas Governor Rick Perry Poised to Join Presidential Race

TODAY'S TAKE: Texas Governor Rick Perry, a Republican who has long railed against Washington and the federal government, is expected to launch his bid for the presidency this weekend. He would be the only sitting governor in the contest, but as former governors already in the contest can attest, his record as executive will come under close scrutiny.

States Prepare Timelines for Missed Debt Deadline

TODAY'S TAKE: States are calculating how long it will take before a political impasse over the federal debt ceiling begins to affect their bottom lines. Some are preparing backup plans, including the furlough of thousands of workers.