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Columns

  • Column: Unspent S.C. gas taxes top $338 million

    In the first 15 months of the gas-tax-hike law, the S.C. Department of Transportation spent less than 7 percent of the nearly $400 million in collected revenues that lawmakers promised would go toward fixing deteriorating roads and bridges statewide, according to recently released records.

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  • Column: How you can participate in Kershaw Heart & Soul

    Everyone has a story, and we want to hear yours.
    We are Kershaw Heart & Soul, an effort to identify what matters most to the Kershaw community and empower local voices to shape the town’s future. This process is designed to bring all voices to the table, so you are Kershaw Heart & Soul.
    A year ago, the town was awarded a $100,000 Community Heart & Soul grant from the Vermont-based Orton Family Foundation and its local partner, the J. Marion Sims Foundation.

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  • Column: Saluting Stan Lee, who gave me super-women to emulate as a kid

    Who were your heroes when you were a kid? Mine weren’t just powerful women. They were superpowered women like Jean Grey, Storm, Rogue, Jubilee and Kitty Pryde, all members of Marvel’s X-Men.
    Like most young girls, I had Barbies lying around, but they were just waiting to be saved by X-Men action figures.
    A little later in life, I learned who the man behind the heroes and heroines was – Stan Lee. Marvel fans across the world mourned Monday as they heard of his death. He was 95.

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  • Column: Scott: Let’s thank our state’s 43,000 female veterans

    For more than 200 years, countless brave men and women have defended, fought for and sacrificed for this nation – helping to create and protect American democracy and the country and freedoms we all love so dearly. Our service members are real-life heroes, who personify bravery and courage, and deserve our endless gratitude and respect.

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  • Column: ‘Awe over the public show of patriotism’

    Editor’s note: This is one community leader’s reaction to Wednesday’s paper, which contained three sections – 22 pages – of Veterans Day tributes to those who’ve served our country. Special-sections editor Jane Alford, an Air Force veteran, led the effort.

    To The Lancaster News and the Lancaster County community:
    I have never been more proud to be counted in the number of American veterans as I was Wednesday night. I literally did not want to put the newspaper down.

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  • Column: Powerful legislative chairman profits from state-funded groups

    As chairman of the S.C. House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Brian White exerts considerable control over the multibillion-dollar state budget that affects the lives of all 5 million South Carolinians.
    And his influence extends far beyond being the House’s chief writer and overseer of the state budget. As the Ways and Means chairman, for example, he sits on and appoints half of the 10-member legislative Joint Bond Review Committee, which recommends large state building projects and the issuance of millions of dollars in taxpayer-backed bonds.

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  • Column: Honoring men who help lead our community

    Best practices in the prevention of rape and sexual assault often include strong messages to girls and women. Take care when walking alone at night. When out socializing, never let your drink out of your sight. Park in well-lit areas. Be aware of your surroundings.
    But what are men and boys being taught, as girls are given this advice?

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  • Column: Thanks to local schoolchildren for remembering our veterans

    Each year at Veterans Day, the staff and students of Andrew Jackson Middle and High schools and Heath Springs Elementary entertain veterans with special programs.
    From viewing these programs, one can tell they put forth a lot of time and energy. Veterans enjoy and appreciate what they do and look forward to them every year.

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  • Column: 10 reasons to vote for appointing the S.C. schools superintendent

    If you like having politicians run important state agencies instead of professionals who actually know what they’re doing, you should vote “no” on Constitutional Amendment 1 on Tuesday’s S.C. election ballots. Ditto if you think it makes sense that the governor has no more control over South Carolina’s most important duty than any one of the 124 House members.

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  • Column: Vote for Parnell to protect Medicare and Social Security

    How many of you have a preexisting condition such as diabetes, heart problems or maybe cancer? How many of you depend on Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security? How many of you are realizing an increase in income due to the Republican tax cuts?  
    The Republicans tried and failed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, which allows individuals with preexisting conditions to purchase health insurance at an affordable rate. I have yet to see their replacement plan, and our Republican governors have rejected billions of dollars in Medicaid.

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