Government

The S.C. House’s plan to stabilize the state’s in-the-red pension plan is a double whammy for local municipalities and the school district, as well as their workers.
And that isn’t sitting well with at least two members of the local legislative delegation.
While the bill passed the House, local lawmakers Brandon Newton (R-45) and Richie Yow (R-53) voted against it, citing how it directly impacts local governments.

Voters will now have three parties to choose from in the race to replace Mick Mulvaney in the U.S. House.
American Party candidate Josh Thornton announced Monday that he will seek the seat in the upcoming special election.
Thornton, 41, is a public/private school educator from Rock Hill. He said in a release that voters deserve a positive choice that isn’t a career politician within the framework of a broken two-party system that leads to unprecedented gridlock.

COLUMBIA – The S.C. House voted Wednesday to increase the state’s gas tax by two cents a gallon each year for the next five years to fix the state’s crumbling roads and bridges.
When fully phased in, the increase would raise an estimated $600 million per year.
The bipartisan vote was 97-18, with two members of Lancaster County’s House delegation – Speaker Jay Lucas (R-65) and Brandon Newton (R-45) voting for the plan.

More than 50 Indian Land homeowners, wearing red shirts and hot under the collar, stormed out of Monday night’s county council meeting after the council reversed itself and voted 5-2 in favor of McClancy Seasoning’s rezoning request.
As the five hands went up in approval, people in the audience gasped, and some shouted out comments before abruptly leaving the council chambers.
“You’re kidding me!”
“See you in court!”
“Shameful disgrace. We will vote you out!”