Latest Updates

  • S.C. judges could get more raises under Senate bill

    By RICK BRUNDRETT A state senator-lawyer wants the six-figure salaries of S.C. judges to be based on what a federal district judge makes – which typically would guarantee them annual raises. And that could be in addition to any yearly pay hikes authorized in the state budget. State employees, including...
    Rick Brundrett

    Written by
    December 12, 2022

  • Senior judges getting double-dipping perk; records secret

    By RICK BRUNDRETT Most South Carolina workers probably don’t receive big retirement checks from their employers at the same time they’re getting their regular pay. But under state law, eligible senior judges can receive separate “retire-in-place” paychecks equal to 90% of their six-figure salaries. And the law allows them –...
    Rick Brundrett

    Written by
    November 14, 2022

  • Constitutional amendments to strengthen state reserves cruise to passage

    By RICK BRUNDRETT S.C. voters in Tuesday’s general election easily approved constitutional amendments to increase the state’s two main “rainy-day” funds. With all 46 counties reporting, the proposals to expand the General Reserve Fund (GRF) and Capital Reserve Fund (CRF) passed by about 62% of the vote, according to unofficial State...
    Rick Brundrett

    Written by
    November 09, 2022

  • SCPC, ATR to hold statewide tour on ballot amendments

    By RICK BRUNDRETT The South Carolina Policy Council – The Nerve’s parent organization – and Americans for Tax Reform, a national taxpayer advocacy group, are touring the state next week to promote proposed constitutional amendments on the Nov. 8 ballot to increase the state’s two main “rainy-day” funds, according to...
    Rick Brundrett

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    October 28, 2022

  • Concealed court files reveal freebie judicial trips

    By RICK BRUNDRETT Last year, dozens of state judges attended one or more conferences at pricey resorts hosted by special-interest legal organizations that paid for all or part of their stays, The Nerve found in a review of court administration records. Trip details involving the 77 S.C. Supreme Court, Court...
    Rick Brundrett

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    October 24, 2022

  • Zoned out: Why a small SC business might be forced to close

    By RICK BRUNDRETT In less than three months, Jeremy Sark’s U-Haul dealership on North Main Street in the city of Mauldin could close after nine years in operation. But it’s not by choice. Although his automotive repair shop, called Sarks Automotive, can stay open at the same location, a city...
    Rick Brundrett

    Written by
    October 05, 2022

  • Many SC voters favor bigger state reserves. Will they approve it this year?

    By RICK BRUNDRETT South Carolina voters in November will decide whether to approve constitutional amendments to increase the state’s two “rainy-day” funds, though a just-released poll casts doubt on their passage. The statewide poll by the South Carolina Policy Council – The Nerve’s parent organization – found that a plurality...
    Rick Brundrett

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    August 31, 2022

  • SC joins national battles over ESG power plays

    By RICK BRUNDRETT South Carolina is among a group of states investigating a major investment management and ratings company for potential violations connected to liberal environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities, The Nerve has confirmed. Last week, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that 18 other state attorneys general had...
    Rick Brundrett

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    August 26, 2022

  • Scott pushes unspent covid funds for school choice options

    By RICK BRUNDRETT More than a year after the federal government’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus-relief plan became law, South Carolina’s public school districts have spent relatively little of their share of the money, state records show. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott believes lower-income parents nationwide should be able to use the unspent...
    Rick Brundrett

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    August 12, 2022

  • Short-term rental owners, managers worry about discrimination

    By RICK BRUNDRETT Editor’s note: Today’s story is the second of two initial articles on short-term rentals in South Carolina. The other story can be found here. Update: The city of Columbia’s ad hoc committee on short-term rentals is set to meet again on Sept. 29, according to city clerk Erika Hammond. Meanwhile,...
    Rick Brundrett

    Written by
    July 27, 2022