News & Commentary

May 12, 2025

State House Dispatch: May 12, 2025

Sneaky lawmaking via the budget, summer advocacy training, and bills to watch in 2026

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: May 12, 2025. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Text appears over a red and blue-tinted image of the South Carolina State House dome.
May 06, 2025

With 10 additional books removed, South Carolina leads nation in statewide school book bans

It's official: We're Number 1 when it comes to removing or restricting access to literature

By Paul Bowers

It's official: South Carolina leads the nation in number of state-mandated book bans. Update, 5/6/2025
May 05, 2025

State House Dispatch: May 5, 2025

Mandatory flag salutes, juvenile justice reform, and a unanimous vote for school proselytization — plus an update on the teacher criminalization bill

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: May 5, 2025. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Text appears over a yellow and blue-tinted image of the South Carolina State House dome.
Apr 28, 2025

Action Alert: Teacher criminalization bill gets a hearing on 4/29

House Bill 4123 would subject educators to a 10-year prison sentence for the vaguely defined offense of 'disseminating harmful material to minors'

"Action Alert" in red text over a grayscale photo of the State House with protesters in front
Apr 14, 2025

State House Dispatch: April 14, 2025

More religion in schools, compelled speech about vaccines, and an update on the bill attacking Diversity Equity & Inclusion programs

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: April 14, 2025. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Text appears over a pink-tinted image of the South Carolina State House dome.
Apr 08, 2025

State House Dispatch: April 8, 2025

Senate considers anti-Diversity Equity & Inclusion bill, new bills attack trans rights, and State Board pumps the brakes on school book bans

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: April 8, 2025. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Text appears over an orange-tinted image of the South Carolina State House dome.
Mar 31, 2025

State House Dispatch: March 31, 2025

An anti-DEI bill delayed, a positive bill for housing rights, and a record-breaking book ban in the works

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: March 31, 2025. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Text appears over a yellow-tinted image of the South Carolina State House dome.
Mar 24, 2025

State House Dispatch: March 24, 2025

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on the House floor. Positive bills waiting for a committee hearing. Also: Advocacy 101!

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: March 24, 2025. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Text appears over a blue-tinted image of the South Carolina State House dome.
Mar 10, 2025

State House Dispatch: March 10, 2025

Budget week, abortion rights, defending DEI, and another chance for public input

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: March 10, 2025. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Text appears over a yellow-tinted image of the South Carolina State House dome.