The Agenda: Haley nominates DSS leader, Kimpson proposes paying college athletes; Bush stops at USC

State Sen. Marlon Kimpson has filed a proposal that would require big-money athletic colleges (Clemson and USC) to pay their student athletes. Kimpson to the P&C: “The money has to go somewhere. and it’s not going to reduce tuition … It’s being kept in the athletic programs, but it’s not being given to athletes.” Last year, USC shuttled $83.8 million through its athletic program, while Clemson operated on a revenue of $61.1 million. Source: P&C

After voting to walk away from federal Common Core standards this year, state lawmakers are under a time crunch to dismantle and rewrite the state’s education guidelines before next school year, but one lawmaker vows, “We will get this done.” Source: P&C

As lawmakers float a complete overhaul of the agency, Gov. Nikki Haley has nominated a former state DJJ administrator and director of a Clemson girls outreach center to take over the state’s troubled Department of Social Services. Source: P&C

WaPo politics writer Philip Rucker says former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s commencement speech at USC yesterday presents a “case study” in national Republcians’ shift to the right of the political spectrum. Source: WaPo

In SC, Gov. Jeb Bush is meeting today with Gov. Nikki Haley at the Governor’s Mansion. “Courtesy meeting,” per a source.

— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) December 15, 2014

Former House Speaker Bobby Harrell’s ouster from the state House will likely frame the debate over ethics reform for the upcoming legislative session. Source: The State

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott is one of three senators slated to join the influencial Senate Finance Committee in the upcoming session. Source: Politico

New RealtyTrac numbers show that foreclosures in Charleston County were down 30% last month compared to November 2013. Source: CRBJ

Rather than be purchased by private law school operator InfiLaw, on Monday night, the Charleston County legislative delegation voiced support for a nonprofit headed by one of the school’s founders to take over the private law school. Source: P&C

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey wishes you a ‘Merry Christmas.’