Connect to the Capitol

07/20/2025

July 25, 2025 — Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette enters the race for Governor, joining Alan Wilson, and SC Senator Josh Kimbrell. Democrats welcome KY Gov Andy Beshear to the state to gen up voters. Are Democrats beginning to winnow the field early, including in the race for Govenor and the US Senate race against Lindsey Graham? And the feds put a freeze on $84M in education funds. How does this impact SC educatioin? It's another Sunday in South Carolina.

Jermaine Johnson For South Carolina, South Carolina Democratic Party, South Carolina Republican Party

05/25/2025

05/25/2025

MAY 25, 2025 — AUTOPOSY OF AN EX*****ON — Lawmkers and lawyers are caling for an investigation it the state's most recent ex*****on by firing squad. USC has broken ground on a new home for the Medical School, and now it has received funding for a brain research center with the new Health Sciences Campus that will be coming to Bull Street. And Nancy Mace take her claims of sexually predatory actions against her one step further in a U.S. House subcommittee hearing. It's Sunday in South Carolina... time to get Connected to the Capitol.

05/23/2025

USC BREAKING GROUND — Not only has USC's Medical School broken ground on a new hospital on its 16-acre campus at Bull Street, but with a new infusion of funding in this year's state budget, the state's flagship university is making plans to break barriers on brain health in the state with its new Health Sciences Campus. USC Vice President for Research Julius Fridriksson joins us for this Connect to the Capitol Extra.

05/18/2025

MAY 18, 2025 — SC Supreme Court declares, when It comes to abortion in SC, 6 Weeks is 6 Weeks for Heartbeat Law, Atty Gen Alan Wilson on new laws protecting children on the internet, the Firing Squad Ex*****on is under question, and gearing up for 2026, all this week on Connect to the Capitol.

05/12/2025

29 HOUSE REPUBLICANS QUIT SC FAMILY CAUCUS — Citing concerns over Chairman John McCravy's leadership and his stance on abortion, a majority of the members of the Family Caucus abruptly resigned in the last days of the legislative session. Meanwhile, House Democrats filed a resolution seeking McCravy's censure for allegedly making antisemitic, racist, and sexist remarks—allegations he denies.

05/12/2025

Sunday, May 11, 2025 — "SINE DIE" Edition — Thursday at 5:00 p.m. brought an end to the first half of this legislative session. Liquor liability/tort reform, school choice, teacher recruitment and retention, and a new energy bill made it across the finish line with the clock ticking away. The House and Senate still have to hammer out a final budget before they return for a brief session on the budget in the next two weeks. Plus, the bills that will be on hold until the Legislature returns next January... and House leadership says "no go" on following the Senate's lead on SC Treasurer Curtis Loftis.

05/04/2025

MAY 4, 2025 CONNECT TO THE CAPITOL — Only 3 days remain in this legislative session, and lawmakers are rushing to the get bills across the finish line before the 5pm Sine Die deadline on Thursday. Several major pieces of legislation are seemingly stalled with the clock ticking — not the least of which is liquor liability which is impacting thousands of bars and restaurants in SC, a law enablling a casino in SC, and that boat tax reduction impacting 300,000 boat owners in SC. Meanwhile, the SC House has put a pause on any movement to oust State Treasurer Curtis Loftis from office after the Senate's vote to do so a week ago. And SC is the only state without a stand-alone law on strangulation, something that law enforcement says it needs to cut down on the state's homicide rate.

05/02/2025

NOT YET A STAND-ALONE CRIME — SC is the only state without a separate law on strangulation, an abuse that often is the precursor to murder. Sen. Brian Adams, a former investigator, has introduced legislation in the Senate that will bring this to a stand-alone crime that help to lower to homicide rate in SC and give law enforcement the tools they need to protect victims.

05/02/2025

CAN RESTAURANTS & BARS SURVIVE?—With only three days left in the legislative session, the House and Senate have yet to reach a compromise on liquor liability legislation that will help the small business community of restaurants and bars have relief from high insurance rates that state law requires. Chris Fitz, owner of The Hollow Restaurant in Columbia gives his perspective on how the lack of compromise is impacting his business.

04/27/2025

APRIL 27, 2025 — The Senate votes on Treasurer Curtis Loftis, Congresswoman Nancy Mace goes viral, could casino gaming in SC make up the budget shortfall of the Income Tax reform?, and Second Chance Day in South Carolina. It's Sunday in South Carolina. Time to Connect to the Capitol.

04/25/2025

SECOND CHANCE DAY — Thursday was Second Chance Day at the State House, a time for addressing the ways that incarceration and the legal system have impacted returning citizens and their families to society.