MORNING HEADLINES | The S.C. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $15.4 billion budget for 2026-27 late Tuesday that includes millions of dollars to raise pay for teachers, law enforcement officers and state employees. It also directs millions for infrastructure investments and to pay for health care costs.
“Everybody agrees sort of the priorities that this budget represented were well represented in the budget the way it was,” House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, told reporters Tuesday night.
Budget writers included a 2% across-the-board raise for state employees and spending an additional $33.9 million to make sure those on the state health plan don’t see an increase in their premiums for the 13th year in a row.
Other items include beach renourishment grants, bridge modernization, maintaining the state’s Medicaid program and more.
- Previous CP coverage: South Carolina’s tax paradox: High rates, low bills
In recent headlines
CP NEWS: TEDxCharleston returns April 29 to explore fresh ideas, expertise. The April 29 event, which is the 14th session in Charleston since 2013, will feature 11 local speakers, plus a nationally-known author who has appeared at TEDx events across the country.
Charleston Co. school board approves rezoning for downtown elementaries. The Charleston County School Board unanimously approved new attendance zones for downtown elementary schools at a meeting March 9, redistributing about 150 students from Julian Mitchell Elementary as part of the district’s Peninsula Promise initiative.
- Charleston’s Project 3500 aims to build 3,500 affordable housing units.
- Charleston plans to fix Lake Dotterer flooding in West Ashley
- Charleston launches new recreation app
- Charleston to begin construction on new West Ashley office
- Stono River living shoreline project kicks off
Citadel Mall tenants given 90 days to vacate ahead of MUSC expansion. On Dec. 12, MUSC Health’s board of trustees voted to buy 330,000 square feet of the shopping center. Now, tenants that lease inline mall space have been given notice they have 90 days to vacate as MUSC starts to build out its newest facility.
- Charleston’s Hyatt Place to rebrand after major renovation
- North Charleston factory making 1,200 American flags a day.
Folly Beach proposes bridge jumping ordinance. As summer approaches, the Folly Beach Police and Fire Department sees an increase in calls from residents reporting people jumping from bridges.
Deadline extended for state-mandated alcohol server training. State lawmakers have extended the deadline for servers and managers to complete South Carolina’s newly required alcohol server training program. The new deadline is May 1, or within 30 days of employment.
Goose Creek considers new e-bike, e-scooter regulations. The proposed rules include a helmet requirement for riders under 16 and limits on speed and battery power. E-bikes would be capped at 25 miles per hour and 750 watts of battery power. E-scooters would also be limited to 25 miles per hour.
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