Latest South Carolina News, Sports, Business And Entertainment

DOT REFORM

Bill eliminating SC DOT commission moves to floor

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) A bill to eliminate the board that oversees South Carolina's Department of Transportation and give the governor full oversight of the agency is coming up for debate in a House committee.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 16-4 on Tuesday to advance the bill to the floor.

A 2007 law restructuring the agency put it in the governor's Cabinet but gave oversight to a seven-member commission. Six commissioners are elected by legislators from each congressional district, and the seventh is appointed by the governor. Transportation Secretary Robert St. Onge thus reports to both Gov. Nikki Haley and the commission.

Haley wants legislators to eliminate the commission, saying the two-boss system is cumbersome and political.

While the bill eliminates the commission, it creates a 17-member advisory board to provide input without authority.

GOVERNOR-RESTRUCTURING

SC Senate makes progress on government reform bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The South Carolina Senate has voted to eliminate the agency that handles much of the state's bureaucracy and put much of its duties under the governor's control.

The 36-2 vote Tuesday in the Senate represents progress on an issue that has consumed the Senate since the session started last month. It also hands a win to Gov. Nikki Haley, who refers to the Budget and Control Board as a big, green, ugly monster.

The approved amendment abolished that board. Debate on the bill will continue Wednesday.

Haley thanked senators for their efforts to create a meaningful Department of Administration.

The bill sparked a Supreme Court showdown between Haley and legislators last summer when she unsuccessfully tried to force them back to Columbia to pass that bill and others she wanted.

CHARLESTON CRUISES

Group releasing second report on SC cruise impact

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) A preservation group is releasing a new study that addresses cruises in South Carolina, a contentious issue that has spawned a lawsuit headed for the state Supreme Court.

The Historic Charleston Foundation is set to release Wednesday a report compiled by outside researchers. An earlier report by College of Charleston researchers for the State Ports Authority found the industry means $37 million to the economy.

Last year, Charleston residents, the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League and the Preservation Society of Charleston sued Carnival Cruise Lines alleging, among other things, that cruises are a public nuisance and illegal hotel operations.

The Historic Charleston Foundation has hired a consultant to review plans for a new $35 million passenger terminal and consider how it may affect quality of life.

ORANGEBURG MASSACRE

SC State remembers 3 killed in Orangeburg Massacre

ORANGEBURG. S.C. (AP) Friends and family are returning to South Carolina State University to remember three men killed and 27 injured after being shot by police at the school during a civil rights protest.

Wednesday marks the 44th anniversary of the incident known as the Orangeburg Massacre. SC State alum Thomas Kennerly is scheduled to speak. He was among the injured.

A silent march and candlelight ceremony are also scheduled.

On Feb. 8, 1968, state troopers and police opened fire on a group of students who were protesting a segregated bowling alley after a tense standoff. None of the officers were injured.

An FBI investigation led to charges against nine troopers, but a jury of 10 whites and two blacks acquitted them. Federal agents refused to reopen the case in 2007.

FIRST BLACK PROFESSOR

USC honors first black professor post-Civil War

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The University of South Carolina is celebrating the career of Richard T. Greener, the first black professor at the school, who taught from 1873 to 1877.

Associate history professor Bobby Donaldson was scheduled to speak on the era Wednesday in the Museum of Education in Wardlaw College. The symposium is free and open to the public.

It was unheard of to have an African-American professor in a Southern university during that period. It was decades before another black professor was appointed. In addition to teaching philosophy, Greener served as librarian and helped catalog the library's holdings, which were in disarray after the Civil War.

CHARLESTON POLICE FUND

New fund created to help Charleston police

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) Charleston police are getting some help in their battle against crime.

Mayor Joe Riley and Police Chief Gregory Mullen are joining officials of the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina on Wednesday to announce the creation of the Charleston Police Fund.

The money from the fund will be used for programs to improve officer development and for equipment that would not generally be available through ordinary operating funds.

The Coastal Community Foundation is a nonprofit foundation operating in eight Lowcountry counties. It began in 1974 with $9,000 and now administers 570 funds with $150 million in assets.

WORKFORCE LAB

North Charleston opens work force development lab

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) North Charleston and Clemson University are teaming up to open a workforce development computer lab in the city.

The Midland Park Community Center opens on Wednesday in North Charleston with Mayor Keith Summey and Clemson officials expected to attend. In the workforce development lab, donated computers are being used to help residents develop computer skills and find jobs.

Clemson's Restoration Institute is located in North Charleston.

The institute focuses on a number of areas including community revitalization, historic preservation and renewable energy.

HOUSE GOP

SC House GOP Caucus unveiling 2012 agenda

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) House Republicans are unveiling their agenda for the current 2012 legislative session.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Majority Leader Kenny Bingham are leading the news conference scheduled for Wednesday at the Statehouse.

Republicans control both legislative chambers in South Carolina. The House GOP caucus consists of 76 members, up from 72 members before the 2010 elections. Republicans have controlled the House since 1994.

The caucus released its 2011-2012 agenda last year. Some of those items passed the House last year and await action in the Senate. Bills not passed this year must be reintroduced for 2013, starting the process over.

Two agenda items were passed into law but challenged by the federal government. Those items are illegal immigration and requiring certain photo identification to vote.