A top legislator wants to take control of Statehouse police away from the governor and create a new Capitol Police Force. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell of Charleston introduced the bill Thursday after months of bickering with Gov. Mark Sanford about Capitol Complex security. Sanford nixed use of his Bureau of Protective Services officers to monitor a new security system limiting access to the Statehouse, its grounds and office buildings and an underground garage. … [Read more...]

Some lawmakers don't like changes made by Sanford Senators and Gov. Mark Sanford are again feuding over security at the Statehouse complex. Sanford, who has long railed against the spending of $6 million in the last year to upgrade some security measures on the complex, in December pulled some of the grounds' security officers from checkpoints, including the underground garage, irritating some senators who believe safety is being compromised. On Thursday, Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn … [Read more...]

… [Read more...]

Proposed bill would legalize kitchen-table poker Poker, even the low-key variety played by friends in private homes for low stakes, is illegal in South Carolina. A bill proposed by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston would change this, allowing poker in private homes, within certain limits. The person hosting the game would not be allowed to profit from the event by giving himself favorable odds or taking a cut of the pot. … [Read more...]

Thank you for taking my 2009 constituent survey. Your responses will go a long way in helping us create common-sense legislation in Columbia. … [Read more...]

A bill allowing social gambling and gambling-themed fundraisers has been introduced by an S.C. legislative leader who says it's none of the government's business if friends want to gather around a kitchen table and play cards. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said the state's centuries-old anti-gambling laws sorely need a common-sense overhaul. But even with the backing of the powerful Judiciary Committee chairman, the bill faces tough odds in the legislature. … [Read more...]

The 7th week of the legislative session: KITCHEN TABLE POKER: A prominent South Carolina legislator has proposed legalizing kitchen table poker. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell introduced a bill Thursday allowing social gambling in private homes, as well as games played for no money. The Charleston Republican said the state has no business interfering in card and dice games played between a group of friends in someone's house. His bill would amend the state's 207-year-old law that bans … [Read more...]

The kitchen-table poker lobby scored a big pot Thursday when one of the most powerful men in the Legislature introduced a bill that would legalize what he termed "social gambling" and events held for charity. There's no guarantee that the bill will become law anytime soon, or ever. But Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell said the state's anti-card, anti-dice laws are relics that need to be retooled. … [Read more...]

It sure is a good thing somebody called the cops on Addlestone Hebrew Academy last weekend. The school was just about to host a fundraiser at the Jewish Community Center that would have allowed some folks to bet real Monopoly money on roulette and blackjack. … [Read more...]