McConnell: “Governor asks federal judge to usurp states’ rights in quest for more power” Columbia, SC - May 21, 2009 - South Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell today issued the following statement in response to Governor Mark Sanford's lawsuit: … [Read more...]

Governor Mark Sanford only wants to use the part of the stimulus package that he controls to pay down state debt- -an idea the federal government rejected. Now, some members on the Senate floor, like Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell of Charleston, say the governor should just take the money and be done with it because, in McConnell’s words, “it is what it is.” … [Read more...]

Senators McConnell, Fair, Alexander, and Land chat about the big issues up for debate in the Senate. … [Read more...]

Playing poker in a friend's home and buying a raffle ticket to benefit a local school could become legal in South Carolina under bills being considered by lawmakers. The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to consider legislation Tuesday that would revise the state's 207-year-old gambling laws, which ban "any game with cards or dice." … [Read more...]

The budget battle could dim the Lowcountry’s star power. Lawmakers are struggling to find a way to keep film incentives in the proposed budget for next year. The television series Army Wives is now in its fourth season and has generated millions of dollars for the local economy, but if there is no incentive to stay some think they could leave the area. … [Read more...]

The 16th week of the legislative session: … [Read more...]

Public hearings on kitchen-table gambling wrapped up this week, with a final hearing in Columbia. The state Senate sponsored two previous hearings: one in Greenville and another in Charleston. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell of Charleston says the hearings have been very good. … [Read more...]

Sine (sign ah) die (die ee) is Latin for without day. In the modern legislative lexicon the term means without any future date designated. By statute, the South Carolina Legislature must adjourn sine die no later than the first Thursday in June, except when an extension is initiated by a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate. … [Read more...]

The state came one step closer to updating its laws governing raffles and card and dice games Thursday when a Senate panel advanced three bills. A Senate Judiciary subcommittee voted 3-1 to send the bills to the full Judiciary Committee, but given the late timing in the session, it is not likely the full Senate will take a vote on the legislation before summer adjournment. "Right now, it's against the law for a Monopoly game to be held in your own kitchen with your kids," said Sen. Paul … [Read more...]

Legislators have advanced proposals to allow kitchen-table poker, gambling-themed fundraisers and raffles in South Carolina. A Senate panel approved the bills Thursday, moving them to the full Judiciary Committee. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell says it's none of the government's business if friends want to gather around a kitchen table and play cards. The Charleston Republican says the state's antigambling laws need a common sense overhaul. … [Read more...]