Published on December 4, 2012 By Michael Whiteley, Eastern Bureau Chief, WorkCompCentral The Home Builders Association of South Carolina and a Columbia, S.C.,insurance agency that specializes in the construction industry are jointly funding a new system that alerts users when a workers’ compensation policy has lapsed prior to its scheduled expiration date.…
SCE&G Agrees to Smaller Rate Hike
Published on November 28, 2012 By EVA MOORE, Free Times Electric bills will probably go up soon — but not by as much as South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. originally requested. The utility company wanted to raise its base rates by 6.61 percent. But under a new agreement reached with…
Don’t tie the hands of Consumer Product Safety Commission
Published on November 30, 2012 The Hill’s Congress Blog By Frank Knapp, Jr. We have heard an ongoing cry from organizations claiming to represent all businesses that they oppose any government action on toxic chemicals in our products, warning of increased costs and job losses. Now, a new independent poll…
Public has power in SCE&G hike
November 27, 2012 The State By Roddie Burris Public pressure played a role in persuading South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. to moderate its pending price hike for electricity. A couple of technology-driven tele-town halls reached roughly 35,000 people in the weeks preceding public hearings on the rate increase case.…
DEW mistake spurs debate about governor’s cabinet operations
November 27, 2012 By Tim Smith, Capital Bureau The Greenville News State Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian said the problems are not unfortunate events. “They are a lack of diligence and scrutiny and work,” he said. COLUMBIA — Barbara League, the chief executive officer of G.F. League Manufacturing in Greenville,…
SCE&G gives ground on rate hike; Utility now wants 4.23 percent more
Published on November 20, 2012 By Roddie Burris, The State SCE&G will slash its rate increase request to the S.C. Public Service Commission for electric customers, the company said late Monday after reaching a deal with several parties opposing the increase. The deal would save the average customer about $50…
Haley reaffirms stance on health exchange
Published on November 16, 2012 The Item, AP State News COLUMBIA – Gov. Nikki Haley told the federal government Thursday that South Carolina won’t set up a state health exchange, saying President Obama’s re-election did not change her stance. In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius,…
Businesses Cut Employees’ Hours to Prepare for Health Care Reform
Published on November 14, 2012 BY EVA MOORE, Free Times With President Barack Obama reelected to a second term, the health care reforms passed during his first term are set to take effect. And some employers are now facing the fact that they’ll be forced to offer health coverage to…
Local Business Fearful After SCDOR Data Breach
Published on November 7, 2012 WLTX Columbia, SC (WLTX) — News19 has now learned that over the past five years, the Department of Revenue spent $231,000 dollars buying security through the corporation Trustwave, protection that failed. Governor Nikki Haley announced Wednesday that some business information was compromised in the Department…
SCE&G asks customers to pay for employee Zumba classes and expensive dining and alcohol
Published November 2, 2012 By Frank Knapp Jr. | Columbia Star I am Frank Knapp, president and CEO of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce, a statewide advocacy organization trying to make South Carolina a more small business friendly state. On June 29 of this year, SCE&G filed…