South Carolina

August 15, 2008: Talk of consolidating the Bamberg-Ehrhardt and Denmark-Olar school districts and a Freedom of Information Act complaint that led to a lawsuit resulted in the immediate aftermath of a vote earlier this summer by Bamberg School District 1 trustees to close Ehrhardt Elementary.

Now, after the smoke has cleared, officials say consolidation of Bamberg School Districts 1 and 2, although an option, is not being entertained at this time and, if it ever should be, will not be entered into hastily. Read the full article here.

Government investment requires full transparency
August 10, 2008: The General Assembly wants to play an active role in the South Carolina economy — that much is clear. The state has recently allocated millions of dollars to special projects, proposed targeted tax incentives and even sponsored local festivals and parades, all in the name of economic development. Read the full column here.

Fertilizer firm files FOI suit
August 9, 2008: A fertilizer company from Tampa, Fla., with a terminal at the shuttered Port of Port Royal recently filed a freedom of information lawsuit against the State Ports Authority.

The import company, which was forced to abandon its site at the port by a legislative change, is seeking damages from the state to compensate for the loss of its terminal space. Read the full article here.

State government needs more transparency
July 30, 2008: The General Assembly wants to play an active role in the South Carolina economy -- that much is clear. The state has recently allocated millions of dollars to special projects, proposed targeted tax incentives, and even sponsored local festivals and parades -- all in the name of economic development.

If elected officials insist on tampering with the American free-market model, they should at least do it openly. Five simple, non-partisan transparency reforms would ensure greater accountability. Read the full column here.

Transparency & Government

• Ten point checklist for statewide organizations
• South Carolina government corruption
• South Carolina Transparency Legislation

School Districts

• South Carolina School Districts
• South Carolina Department of Education
• South Carolina School Spending

FOIA Laws

• FOIA procedures
• Past FOIA requests in South Carolina

Blogging resources

• South Carolina blogs

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