- Ten Toes In: Why Trump Accounts Make Sense for North Carolina's Small Businesses
- Remnant Called -
- Former Moms for Liberty Chairs in South Carolina Address Massive Departure from Organization
- Same Job. Two Résumés. Graham and Norman Make Their Case for the US Senate
- Back to Basics: Understanding Your Greenville County Property Tax Bill from Start to Finish
- AIPAC Lobbyists Grip on Congress
- The Ukrainian Drone Attacks on Wildberries
- Hunting Island's Lighthouse Was Built to Outsmart the Atlantic's Shifting Shoreline
- Turkish Naval Force Deploys in Eastern Mediterranean
- Briefing Notes from the Ukraine and Persian Gulf Wars
- Saudi Arabia’s Iran War Dilemma
- South Carolina Gas Tax Climbs From Near Bottom Nationally to 30th in 2026
- The Myth of Voting for the Lesser of Two Evils
- Correcting Widespread Misconceptions about the Vietnam War
- Invalid and Valid Iran-Vietnam Analogies
NEW: Who Should Pay for South Carolina’s Data Center Growth?
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- By Neil Wolin - SC Policy Council
South Carolina is facing unprecedented growth from large transformational energy customers such as expanding and newly planned data centers, and residential ratepayers across the state are concerned.
CNBC has recently reported that the Palmetto State is in the top 10 states for data center development, but notes that S.C. is not prepared to generate enough capacity.
To protect ratepayers, data centers should construct their own power generation facilities.
We Need a Codified Earmarks Process to Protect S.C. Taxpayers
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- By Sam Aaron - SC Policy Council
By now, the budgetary dust has settled across the state, as the S.C. Legislature passed a general appropriations act and a supplemental appropriations act for this fiscal year allocating an additional $351 million to lawmakers’ pet projects, also known as earmarks.
An earmark typically is a budget request made by a legislator later in the budget cycle rather than a state agency at the start of the process. Some earmarks are good, such as, for example, providing additional firetrucks to a local government.
But other earmarks are essentially taxpayer-funded donations to nonprofit organizations – which clearly is a step beyond the legitimate role of government, though the nonprofits themselves usually have worthy purposes.
Get Connected and Meet the Candidates - October 20th
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- By Press Release
Former Moms for Liberty Chairs in South Carolina Address Massive Departure from Organization
- Details
- By Former Moms for Liberty SC
Former South Carolina Moms for Liberty Leadership Address Departure Citing Ethical Concerns and National Disconnect
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A significant coalition of former chapter chairs and leadership members from Moms for Liberty (M4L) across South Carolina have formally announced their reasons for departure from the national organization. The group, representing various counties throughout the state, expressed deep disappointment in the current direction taken by the national organization regarding its operations in South Carolina.
The departing leaders emphasized that while they are separating from the national structure, they remain steadfastly committed to the core mission that originally drew them to the movement: protecting children, preserving parental rights, and improving the quality of education.
South Carolina Gas Tax Climbs From Near Bottom Nationally to 30th in 2026
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- By James Spurck, Publisher
Palmetto State motorists pay 28.75 cents per gallon today, up 12 cents from a decade ago
South Carolina drivers still pay less in state gasoline taxes than motorists in many parts of the country, but the Palmetto State is no longer near the bottom of the national rankings as it was a decade ago.
According to the Tax Foundation's latest figures, South Carolina's gasoline tax stands at 28.75 cents per gallon in 2026, ranking 30th highest in the nation. The state's diesel tax is also 28.75 cents per gallon.
A decade ago, the picture looked considerably different.
Same Job. Two Résumés. Graham and Norman Make Their Case for the US Senate
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- By James Spurck, Publisher
Fourth District Republican Club and First Monday’s SC runoff forum gives Upstate voters something more useful than another political cage match: a chance to hear how two Republicans would actually govern.
Political campaigns are usually very good at telling voters whom to fear, whom to blame and whose name to remember on Election Day. They are not always as good at explaining and proving what a candidate intends to do after winning.
Monday's Senate forum in Greenville was different.
With South Carolina Republicans only days away from choosing between U.S. Sen. Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in the August 25 Republican runoff, the Fourth District Republican Club and First Monday in Greenville essentially turned the luncheon into a job interview. There were no podium-to-podium attacks, no candidates talking over one another and no television-style race to manufacture the afternoon's most viral moment. Graham appeared first, Norman followed, and moderators WYFF News anchor Jane Robelot and 98.9 FM talk show host Joey Hudson spent their time asking about what senators eventually have to deal with after the campaign signs come down: spending, war, China, energy, immigration, Social Security, veterans and the everyday business of representing South Carolinians.
Going over budget: A routine practice for some S.C. agencies
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- By Rick Brundrett - The Nerve
As S.C. lawmakers continue to slow-walk adopting a final state budget for the fiscal year already underway – which potentially could top $44 billion in state, federal and “other” funds – some state agencies likely are planning to seek mid-year spending hikes beyond their annual appropriations.
For the fiscal year that ended a month ago, the state Executive Budget Office (EBO), which is part of the S.C. Department of Administration, quietly approved nearly $3 billion in mid-year, federal and other fund spending-increase requests submitted by 42 agencies, The Nerve found in a review of records provided by the Department of Administration under the state Freedom of Information Act.
The collective $2.997 billion in spending requests – which included $2.35 billion in federal funds and $647 million in other funds – mostly were in addition to the $41 billion in overall approved appropriations for fiscal year 2025-26.
Richland Co. Councilman Derrek Pugh Secures Sweetheart Position with Scout Motors
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- By Alaina Moore - United Patriots Alliance
Earlier this week, we asked whether Scout Motors was about to receive more government benefits and how Richland County Council Vice Chair Derrek Pugh was tied in. Two days later, Pugh answered that question himself...by announcing that he has taken a job with Scout Motors while continuing to serve as a councilman.
Let's take a close look at Pugh and his record that, in retrospect, was setting himself up to take this position all along.
Scout Motors (subsidiary of Volkswagen) has been the most expensive and most secretive economic development deal in recent South Carolina history since it was rushed into law in 2023 in under a week. This corrupt deal that we have exposed since the very beginning has become the playbook for other huge "economic development" plans revolving around electric vehicles and solar projects across the state. Of course, Richland County officials have been in the middle of this Scout mess the entire time.
‘A True American Original’: Lindsey Graham Funeral Rivets Capital
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- By Dan Hart - The Washington Stand
A solemn procession of military servicemembers carried the body of former Senator Lindsey Graham (S.C.) down the central aisle of the magnificent National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. for his funeral service on Tuesday as his beloved sister Darline, President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, the entire presidential cabinet, and dozens of dignitaries looked on. The president described the late statesman as “a giant of the United States Senate” who “gave America the full measure of his good and mighty heart.”
Over $1 million in pothole claims made against SCDOT in FY 2025-26
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- By Rick Brundrett - The Nerve
In fiscal year 2025-26, at least 954 pothole damage or injury claims totaling more than $1 million were filed against the S.C. Department of Transportation, though less than half of them were approved with much smaller collective payouts, records provided to The Nerve show.
Out of the 954 claims for incidents that occurred from July 29, 2025, through April 30 of this year, 349, or about 37%, were listed as approved with $174,060 in total settlements, which represented less than 17% of the overall $1,067,016 in claims, The Nerve’s review found.
Another 374 claims, or 39% of the total, were denied, while 228 cases were pending and three were appealed, according to DOT records, which were provided in May to The Nerve under the state Freedom of Information Act.
Remembering Senator Lindsey Graham
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- By Benton Blount - Chairman of Greenville County Council
This week, South Carolina lost one of its most recognizable public servants with the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham.
For more than three decades, he represented our state in Columbia and Washington, serving in the South Carolina House, the United States House of Representatives, and ultimately the United States Senate. Along the way, he also continued serving as a Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve and as a Judge Advocate General (JAG), making him one of the few members of Congress to continue wearing the uniform while holding federal office.
Darline Graham Nordone will Become the First Woman to Represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate
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- By Emmitt Barry - Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Monday appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the younger sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to complete the remaining months of her brother’s Senate term.
Nordone is expected to be sworn in Wednesday and will serve until the current term expires in January. Her appointment will make her the first woman in South Carolina history to serve in the U.S. Senate.
“Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him,” Nordone said during an emotional announcement at the South Carolina Statehouse.
Idaho Abortion Voter Initiative Qualifies for the Ballot this November
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- By Stanton Public Policy Center
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho abortion voter initiative qualifies for the ballot this November. The ballot initiative would allow abortions for the full nine months of pregnancy if passed this November and nullify the “Defense of Life Act.”
Since the “Defense of Life Act” legislation began being enforced on August 25, 2022, it is estimated nearly 6,000 innocent children have been saved from abortion in Idaho.
Also, not one woman has been arrested for having a miscarriage, no doctor has been prosecuted under the “Defense of Life Act” and not a single woman has died seeking an “illegal abortion” as pro-choice activists claimed would happen.
The “Defense of Life Act,” has protected thousands of innocent children by ending abortion violence in Idaho as well as protecting thousands of women from forced and coerced abortions.
The $8 Billion that SC Lawmakers Don't Talk About
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- By Rick Brundrett - The Nerve
If history is any indication, the state budget for the new fiscal year that starts Wednesday likely won’t account for the collective billions in surplus “other” funds that S.C. agencies will have on hand.
The Nerve’s review of records obtained last month from the S.C. Department of Administration under the state Freedom of Information Act found that agencies began the current 2025-26 fiscal year, which started on July 1, 2025, with a total of at least $7.9 billion in other-fund surpluses.
The amount worked out to be about $1,400 for every man, woman and child in South Carolina.
“Farms That Grow Nothing” Served at the Republican Runoff Breakfast Table
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- By James Spurck, Publisher
Runoff candidates brought humor, family stories and final appeals to the 4th District Republican Club, showing that political competition does not have to erase Republican friendship and fellowship.
South Carolina Republicans have survived months of campaign speeches, political mailers, television advertisements, and enough roadside signs to guide travelers across the state without a map. The primary is over, the runoff is Tuesday, and nearly everyone appears ready for a winner, including the candidates themselves.
Still, the final 4th District Republican Club gathering before the runoff showed that opposing candidates and their supporters can compete for votes without forgetting how to laugh together. The jam-packed room overlooking the Greenville skyline included elected officials from all levels of government, candidates and their campaign workers, spouses, club members, and several people who have probably memorized the candidates’ speeches by now. The candidates made their cases, traded some friendly teasing, and showed that a runoff campaign can still leave room for good humor and camaraderie.
The Greenville GOP’s Candidate Kiss of Death Strikes Again
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- By James Spurck, Publisher | Political Analysis
After another primary night of losses, one of the Upstate’s most talked-about Republican political superstitions is getting harder to ignore.
In Greenville County Republican circles, a political superstition has taken on a life of its own. Mention a candidate endorsed by the current Greenville County Republican Party leadership and sooner or later someone will whisper the phrase, the "Candidate's Kiss of Death."
It is no longer just an occasional joke passed around at campaign events. It has become part of the local Republican political vocabulary. Coffee meetings, social media discussions, text message chains, and post-election conversations have all helped spread the phrase throughout Greenville County.
The term is most often directed toward the political operation built around former Greenville County Republican Party Chairman Jeff Davis and the MySCGOP activist network that has dominated local party affairs in recent years. Fairly or unfairly, many grassroots Republicans have come to believe that candidates receiving the enthusiastic backing of this faction often struggle at the ballot box.
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