Government

Columbia, South Carolina—Today, Governor Henry McMaster unveiled his Executive Budget for the fiscal year 2025–2026, laying out a plan that places a high priority on disaster preparedness, infrastructure, education, tax relief, and fiscal restraint. With a $1.8 billion budget surplus due to South Carolina's thriving economy, the governor highlighted the transformative potential of the planned investments. In a letter to the General Assembly, Governor McMaster said, "I think we will set our state on a course that will provide the opportunity for prosperity, success, and happiness for generations of South Carolinians by thinking big, being bold, and making these transformative investments." Key Budget Highlights Governor McMaster is suggesting lowering the personal income tax rate fro...

If you haven t made the switch from paper filing yet, learn more about your options at dor.sc.gov/iit-filing . Learn more about our refund timeline and check your refund status anytime at dor.sc.gov/refund . SCDOR Director Hartley Powell expressed his satisfaction that more South Carolinians than ever before are filing online and choose direct deposit. Since filing electronically is the safest, most accurate, and quickest way to get a refund, we eventually want all taxpayers to do so. Collect any document that will affect your return before you start the filing process and store them in one place, including W-2 and 1099 forms and transcripts of past returns, which are accessible on MyDORWAY . Don t file using a year-end pay s...

The ancient military college in South Carolina, The Citadel, has been selected to march in the state's coveted 2025 Presidential Inaugural Parade. The parade is planned for January 20 in Washington, D.C., after the 47th President of the United States is sworn in. A longstanding American custom, the Presidential Inaugural Parade unites individuals from all over the nation to commemorate the orderly handover of power. One of the few organizations chosen to march is the Citadel's Corps of Cadets, demonstrating their commitment, discipline, and service to the state and country. A Tradition of Excellence Since its founding in 1842, the Citadel has a long tradition of turning out morally upright leaders for both the military and the civilian world. The marching units from the college are a suita...

By: Ashley Murray and Jacob Fischler, SC Daily Gazette Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court asked Friday why they should step in and stop a regulation that would force TikTok to be sold in nine days, claiming that the Chinese parent firm of the short-form video platform does not have First Amendment rights. Justices on both sides of the court's ideological divide questioned attorneys for ByteDance, the parent firm of TikTok, and a group of the platform's users on how any entity other than ByteDance would have its rights restricted. The highly popular site will be removed from US app stores if ByteDance doesn't divest TikTok by January 19 in accordance with the bipartisan law signed into law by President Joe Biden and supported by Congress. The algorithm that determines what TikTok users see ...

In order to facilitate veterans' access to earned benefits and free medical care, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has stated that it will henceforth assume service connection for a number of cancers. This implies that veterans who have been diagnosed with one of these malignancies and served in certain regions during specific time periods won't need to provide evidence linking their illness to their military service. The following are included in the enlarged list of presumed cancers: Acute and chronic leukemias Multiple myelomas Myelodysplastic syndromes Myelofibrosis Urinary bladder cancer Ureter cancer Related genitourinary cancers For Gulf War Veterans and Post-9/11 Veterans who served in certain areas during their respective conflicts, thes...

Rock Hill, South Carolina Due to the expected winter weather, York Technical College has issued a notice that all campuses will be operating remotely on Friday, January 10th, out of caution. Over the weekend, campuses will not be open to the public. During this time, staff and faculty will continue to assist students remotely. On Monday, January 13th, the College will resume regular, in-person operations. Students and staff are asked to keep an eye on the College's website and official communication channels for updates and more information.

ColumbiaOn January 1, 2025, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture will start taking applications for Hemp Farming Permits for the 2025 growing season. Applications for hemp farming in South Carolina in 2025 must be submitted online between January 1 and February 28, 2025. You need to submit a Farm Service Agency (FSA) number and finish a background check via IdentoGO in order to be eligible for a hemp farming permit. The only people who can apply are residents of South Carolina. All candidates must submit their applications online at agriculture.sc.gov/hemp; there is no paper or printable version available. Current permit holders who want to keep growing must reapply because permits expire annually. Fees: There is a $100 application cost for hemp farming permits. Following approval ...

Domestic flights within the United States will require a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card as of May 7, 2025. The REAL ID Act of 2005 created this requirement with the intention of improving security standards for identification documents issued by the state. How to Get a Genuine ID in South Carolina There are multiple ways to get a REAL ID from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV): In-person: Visit an SCDMV branch with the necessary documentation and purchase a REAL ID. Online renewal: If eligible, you can renew your license and obtain a REAL ID online. Documentation Requirements You need to give the SCDMV the original copies of the following documents in order to receive a REAL ID: Proof of Identity (e.g., governmen...

(Sun of Tega Cay) Numerous financial assets, such as unused checks and dormant bank accounts, are left unclaimed and forgotten while they wait to be reclaimed by their rightful owners. The range of these unclaimed assets includes unused bank accounts, unpaid stock dividends, utility deposits, insurance premiums, and even life insurance payouts. Given this enormous pool, people naturally wonder how they might get back what is rightfully theirs.Certain unclaimed property laws have been developed by the states and their separate authorities in the United States. These regulations specify when certain kinds of unused assets must be turned over to the state for preservation. When businesses or holders of these dormant assets are unable to get in touch with their legitimate owners, the process...