<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>

    
    <rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">
        <channel>
            <title>Midlands Connect - Political News</title>
            <link>http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/contents.aspx?id=~\News\Lists\Politics</link>
            <description>The latest political news from WACH Fox 57.</description>
            <ttl>15</ttl>
            <language>en-us</language>
            <copyright>Copyright 2012 by Barrington Broadcasting Group, LLC</copyright>
            <atom:link href="http://www.midlandsconnect.com/rss.aspx?feed=Political_News" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
            
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[SC Senate approves bill to clear future election chaos]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754672]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian McConchie]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754672]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 16 May 2012 22:30:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The South Carolina Senate approved a bill Wednesday that could head off the election chaos that is currently swirling throughout South Carolina.  State GOP officials also re-instated a candidate to the ballot who is expected to engage in a heated primary battle.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[SC Senate gives key approval to budget]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754740]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[WACH Fox News Center]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754740]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 16 May 2012 21:05:15 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The Senate voted 27-12 on second reading, though plenty of debate remains.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA['Born Alive' bill a vote from governor's desk]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754687]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754687]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 16 May 2012 18:40:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The South Carolina House has unanimously approved a bill ensuring that a fetus which survives an abortion attempt is not treated as medical waste.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Sen. Knotts embarrassed again over 'raghead' remarks]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754527]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kara Durrette]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754527]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 16 May 2012 13:25:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Almost two years after appearing on the political web show Pub Politics, Sen. Jake Knotts is in the news again for his offensive remarks.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Voters will decide if SC gov and lt gov run together in 2018]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754500]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754500]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 16 May 2012 12:10:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Voters will be asked in November whether the governor and lieutenant governor should run together, but the change wouldn't take place until 2018.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Downtown dormitories could give Main Street a boost]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754336]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian McConchie]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754336]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 16 May 2012 09:40:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Tuesday night, Columbia city council approved a measure that could clear the way for downtown dormitory living along Main Street. An out-of-state company has plans to house more than 800 college students in the vacant Palmetto Center.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Haley insists state senators cut more taxes]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754131]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[WACH Fox News Center]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754131]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 15 May 2012 15:40:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Gov. Nikki Haley is demanding that South Carolina state senators cut more taxes.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[House Democrat asks committee to reopen Haley Case]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754092]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=754092]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 15 May 2012 13:40:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[A state representative is asking a legislative panel to reconsider its decision dropping ethics charges against South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Student loans set to double without congressional action]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753803]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Zoheb Hassanali]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753803]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 15 May 2012 10:55:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Stafford loans may double July 1 if Congress does not step in.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Panel tosses ballot case; primary to go as planned]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753663]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian McConchie]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753663]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 15 May 2012 07:10:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[A three-judge federal panel is throwing out a lawsuit accusing South Carolina election officials of breaking federal law by sending partial ballots to overseas voters. However, the attorney who brought the suit says it just the beginning of the litigation to come in the election controversy.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Haley signs bill expected to increase education opportunities in South Carolina]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753676]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753676]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 May 2012 16:30:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[South Carolina's governor has signed a charter school bill that the state's education superintendent called his top legislative priority,]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Judge panel set to hear arguments in SC election suit]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753462]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753462]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 May 2012 08:00:56 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Three federal judges are set to consider an attorney's argument that South Carolina decision to send partial ballots to overseas voters was a violation of federal election law. The panel is holding a hearing Monday to hear motions from Todd Kincannon.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Haley to sign charter school bill in Greenville]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753455]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753455]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 May 2012 07:38:56 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[South Carolina's governor and education superintendent are heading to Greenville to celebrate a bill that supporters say will strengthen and expand charter schools statewide. Superintendent Mick Zais will join Gov. Nikki Haley as she signs the bill Monday at Greenville Technical Charter High School.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[SC budget plan up for debate on Senate floor]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753051]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753051]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Sat, 12 May 2012 14:55:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[A state budget plan that boosts employees' paychecks, increases money to public schools and hires law enforcement officers is up for debate this week on the Senate floor.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Democratic convention CEO to address SC Democrats]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753007]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=753007]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Sat, 12 May 2012 09:45:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The chairman of the Democratic National Convention is speaking to the party faithful in South Carolina.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Lawyer abandons effort to save SC election]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=752561]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=752561]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 11 May 2012 10:35:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[An attorney for a state Senate candidate is abandoning his effort to reinstate nearly 200 candidates left off of June 12 primary ballots by a South Carolina Supreme Court decision.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Federal judges could decide to delay SC primaries]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=752399]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian McConchie]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=752399]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 10 May 2012 23:40:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[A three-judge panel will meet next week to consider delaying South Carolina's June 12 primaries in the wake of a state Supreme Court decision that removed nearly 200 candidates from ballots.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Senate effort to re-instate candidates fails]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751909]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian McConchie]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751909]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 09 May 2012 23:45:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[On Wednesday, a Senate effort to get the dozens of disqualified candidates back on the ballot died after hours of heated debate. Nearly 200 candidates were tossed off the June primary ballots after the Supreme Court ruled last week they failed to properly file financial paperwork. ]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Private school choice bill advances in Senate]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751732]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751732]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 09 May 2012 14:40:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[A bill giving tax breaks to parents who send their children to private school or educate them at home has advanced in the Senate.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Bill reducing taxes for small business owners advances]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751728]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751728]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 09 May 2012 14:30:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The Senate Finance Committee has advanced a bill reducing taxes for small business owners.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Former Columbia officer fights to clear her name]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751721]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Adam Pinsker]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751721]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 09 May 2012 14:19:56 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The grievance case of former Columbia Police official now rests in the hands of the city manager.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[RAW VIDEO: Sen. Knotts, wife of Rep. Wilson spar over ballot access]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751238]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[WACH Fox News Center]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751238]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 09 May 2012 07:25:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The Senate Judiciary Committee's attempt to put candidates back on primary ballots sparked a heated exchange between a Republican senator and a congressman's wife.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Controversial police ordinance fizzles]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751538]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Katie Williams]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751538]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 09 May 2012 00:52:41 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[After a heated council meeting, a controversial law enforcement proposal has fizzled for now in Kershaw County.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Strong mayor system gets thumbs down in Columbia]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751483]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751483]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 08 May 2012 23:38:37 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[City of Columbia voters will not get to weigh in on whether the city should operate under a strong mayor system.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Hearing scheduled for SC election lawsuit]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751381]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751381]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 08 May 2012 19:10:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[A federal judge has scheduled a hearing for a federal lawsuit over a South Carolina Supreme Court decision that removed nearly 200 candidates from ballots for the state's June 12 primaries.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[SC Guard preparing for hurricane season]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751079]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=751079]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 08 May 2012 07:12:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[South Carolina National Guard leaders are taking part in a drill to help them prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Guard spokesman Col. Pete Brooks says chief Gen. Robert Livingston is leading Tuesday's exercise at the Guard armory in Columbia.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Columbia council to discuss strong mayor]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=750922]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Adam Pinsker]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=750922]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 07 May 2012 18:53:09 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Columbia City Council will take public input at its Tuesday council meeting on whether the city should switch from a council-manager form of government to a mayor-council or “strong mayor” format.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Ousting leaves legislative seats with no primary]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=750886]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=750886]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 07 May 2012 17:40:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The removal of 55 candidates seeking legislative office from the June ballot leaves 20 additional House and Senate seats without a primary contest. That includes several seats with no Democrat or Republican left.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Former President Clinton addresses Columbia College grads]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=750305]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Katie McKee]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=750305]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Sun, 06 May 2012 09:25:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Columbia College graduates received a special visit from former President Bill Clinton.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Dems, GOP release lists of certified candidates]]></title>
            <link><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=749966]]></link>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[WACH Fox News Center]]></dc:creator>
            <guid isPermaLink="true"><![CDATA[http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=749966]]></guid>
            <pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 04 May 2012 23:40:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[South Carolina Democrats and Republicans have released lists of certified candidates for the June primary ballot. nearly 200 people are ineligible.  But, state lawmakers are planning a move a that could get candidates back in the race.]]></description>
        </item>
	
        </channel>
    </rss>


