Columbia Area Subscribed Articles

Columbia Area Subscribed Articles

News

Voters will find two proposed South Carolina constitutional amendments related to state reserve funds on their ballot in November. Both these existing funds, the General Reserve Fund and the Capital Reserve Fund, constitute budget stabilization funds as they are known in many other states.

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The Post & Courier

South Carolina’s Charles Pinckney's bold plan for a strong federal government is still being cited today, most recently in a high-stakes Supreme Court case about a once-fringe legal concept called Independent State Legislature Theory.

“Having a state that is already very heavy on legislative power become even more so with respect to the most crucial aspect of our democracy. ... We believe this would be catastrophic is South Carolina,” said Lynn Teague, the vice president for issues and action at the South Carolina League of Women Voters.

Diversity, Equity, inclusion
Blog Post

The LWVUS —along with more than 350 national organizations—signed a letter ahead of this week’s passage of the Respect for Marriage Act in the United States Senate. With the passage, the country received a strong message that our leaders in Congress affirm the fundamental rights the aforementioned landmark cases secured, and it also provides reassurance for couples across the country who have faced discrimination due to the Defense of Marriage Act. This further ensures that all federal benefits are available to married couples no matter where they live and ensures that states give full faith and credit to all validly celebrated marriages.

Freedom to Read SC
Blog Post

The League of Women Voters of South Carolina is part of a Freedom to Read SC coalition of organizations concerned about 1st amendment rights. The coalition was formed in response to recent calls to ban books in public libraries.

Local Leagues have been active in responding to challenges, sometimes on very short notice, to remind decision-makers that freedom of speech and access to information without censorship are fundamental to the democratic process. Follow Freedom to Read SC for resources and updates. 

Diversity, Equity, inclusion
Blog Post

Happy American Indian Heritage Month and National Men's Health Awareness Month! Did you know that Native Americans lived in South Carolina 14K years before the first Europeans arrived? The earliest pottery made in North America, called Stallings, was first made in South Carolina. It is recognized by the inclusion of Spanish Moss as "temper" to help hold the hand-molded clay together.

Diversity, Equity, inclusion
Blog Post

While Indigenous People's Day provides us all with space to honor Native Americans and share an accurate history of our nation, it is critical that we take informed action and amplify not only Native Americans — but Native history — every day.

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The Statehouse Report

We are soon to be voting in the 2022 General Election. What can we expect? First, we can expect that this election will be like those before, with hundreds of professional and volunteer workers doing their best to make sure that voting is secure and accessible for South Carolina’s citizens. Once more, citizens will vote, by mail or in person, exercising the most basic of our rights and responsibilities. However, in some other ways, this will not be like earlier elections

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The State newspaper

More than 30 South Carolina charities granted a combined $11.3 million through the budget earmark process over the past two years were out of compliance with state law and should not have been soliciting donations, an analysis by The State Media Co. has found.

"Regardless of any charity’s merits, lawmakers need to know some basics about its operations before appropriating public funds, "said Lynn Teague, vice president for issues and action with the South Carolina League of Women Voters.

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The Post & Courier

Explore Charleston and similar destination marketing organizations around the state run almost entirely on the public’s dime without the financial transparency normally required by the government. Lynn S. Teague, vice president of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of South Carolina, said the League also sees it as a problem.

“Any time public money is involved, there should be real transparency. The public should know exactly where that money went, and they should know ahead of time.”

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The State newspaper

Escalating attacks on the integrity of the election system, intensifying political divisions in the country and excessive job-related stress were among the top reasons officials cited for leaving the profession. "It’s not surprising that some election workers are leaving their jobs, given the level of disrespect and scrutiny they face on a daily basis," said Lynn Teague, vice president for issues and action with the South Carolina League of Women Voters.

Teague said the League has audited elections for years, and while it occasionally finds defects, none have pointed to fraud or would have changed the outcome of an election.

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