MORNING HEADLINES | It’s a familiar hot-button-issue dance in an election year: Republicans in the General Assembly again are pushing for even more restrictions on an annual bogeyman, abortion.
On Wednesday, House members voted 81-31 to push another controversial, conservative measure to curb abortion. In a state that virtually bans physical abortion procedures, they’re now focused on commonly used medications that can induce abortion. They want to tighten access by reclassifying them as Schedule IV drugs, such as Xanax.
The bill also would make it illegal to possess mifepristone and misoprostol, two abortion-inducing drugs, without a prescription from a South Carolina doctor. People have reportedly been getting around a ban on providers mailing the pills to end a pregnancy after virtual meetings with out-of-state providers.
“This is the closing of a loophole that further demonstrates what has been the policy in South Carolina, which is anti-abortion,” Rep. Jay Jordan, R-Florence, said, according to the S.C. Daily Gazette.
The bill heads to the Senate. Other Statehouse activity:
- Sutton agrees to hit breaks on legislation for Citadel on outdoor events
- House moves forward on bill to give parents more say-so on underage children
- Warning period for hands-free driving law ends Feb. 28
New online calendar has scores of events
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Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find.
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In other headlines
CP NEWS: Burial site controversy over College of Charleston dorm continues. A longtime S.C. House member of a key legislative committee has raised concern about the College of Charleston’s plans to build a dormitory on an 18th century burial ground near the campus.
S.C.-1: Dems take House fight to red states. This story profiles several red state Democrats who are running to win a congressional seat in the party’s effort to take back the House. One of the candidates profiled is a new entrant into the 1st congressional district race — retired Navy Rear Admiral Nancy Lacore of Mount Pleasant.
ENVIRONMENT: Colleton Co. residents push back on data centers. Residents say an 850-acre data farm would harm their enjoyment of land in Colleton County.
- Charleston sues Johns Island couple over alleged illegal cleanup
- Conservation groups want more protection for Cainhoy peninsula
- New legal appeals file over Isle of Palms seawall
- Four-acre park ahead for Beefield community off Folly Road
- How to participate in the state’s annual backyard bird count
- Angel Oak plan being reviewed again
Charleston Co. unveils first draft of transportation tax plan. The county offered a first draft of a plan of how it would use a new half-penny in sales tax to ease traffic and upgrade infrastructure.
Florida artist wins $10K Gibbes’ prize. A Florida fiber artist is the winner of the $10,000 contemporary art prize by the Gibbes Museum of Art.
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