From Across South Carolina And The Nation

*Greenville Councilman Apologizes After Wearing Confederate Flag Shirt*

A Greenville County councilman apologized on Friday after wearing a shirt with a Confederate flag on it last week to an event sponsored by a group that works primarily with Black and Hispanic youth.

During a short press conference, Councilman Lynn Ballard apologized for any harm he might have caused members of the community, though without mentioning exactly why he did that was found offensive. A picture of him in the shirt posted to Ballard’s Facebook page caused an uproar among some in the community in recent days, with some community leaders asking he resign and others calling for an apology.

Ballard was attending an event last Friday for the nonprofit Upstate Circle of Friends and was photographed with the organization’s executive officer George Singleton, who is Black.

*SC House Begins Debate On $13.9 Billion State Budget *

South Carolina House lawmakers on Monday are set to begin debating a $13.9 billion state spending plan, which may lead to arguments over how schools districts receive and spend money from the state while raising the starting teacher pay.

Lawmakers also will debate whether to give state employees a 3% pay raise and a $1,500 bonus and whether to freeze public college tuition for the fourth year in a row.

House budget writers were tasked with distributing $4.6 billion in new state income in the spending plan for the fiscal year which begins July 1.

*Is Jay Jordan Stepping Down From His SC House Seat?*

According to sources familiar with the situation, S.C. speaker of the House Jay Lucas of Hartsville, S.C. will not seek another term in office in 2022 – although that decision has yet to be confirmed by his office.

Nonetheless, sources familiar with the situation tell us Lucas’ announcement could be made as soon as this week. In fact, some are speculating Lucas may step down immediately.

In the event Lucas were to resign – or decide against seeking reelection this fall – House ways and means chairman Murrell Smith is viewed as the odds-on favorite to succeed him as speaker.

In fact, lawmakers tell us Smith’s ascension to the top spot in the House is a “done deal.” First reported by FitsNews

*Barack Obama Receives Outpouring of Love After Announcing Positive COVID Test*

Former President Barack Obama announced on Sunday, March 13, that he tested positive for COVID-19.

“I just tested positive for COVID. I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple of days but am feeling fine otherwise,” Obama tweeted. “Michelle and I are grateful to be vaccinated and boosted, and she has tested negative. It’s a reminder to get vaccinated if you haven’t already, even as cases go down.”

The response to the announcement again served as a reminder that Obama stands as arguably the most popular president in U.S. history.

“Those 6 words just terrified me to death,” Twitter user Meidas_T’Sharra responded.

*SC Jan. 6 Defendant Jailed For Sending 5,000 Texts to Wife, A Potential Government Witness*

A federal judge has revoked the bond for a South Carolina defendant in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and ordered him held in jail after he reportedly attempted to tamper with a witness — his wife.

William Robert Norwood III of Greer sent thousands of text messages to the woman, a potential government witness, who he’d been ordered not to contact, prosecutors allege.

Norwood will be held pending trial after a bond hearing at the Greenville Federal Courthouse on March 14. He will be transferred to jail in the District of Columbia. First reported by The Charleston Post and Courier

*Statement of Administration Policy on H.R. 2116 – Creating a Respectful and Open World For Natural Hair (CROWN) Act*

The Administration strongly supports H.R. 2116, the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act of 2022. The bill would prohibit discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles that are commonly associated with a particular race or national origin, including locs, cornrows, braids, twists, Bantu knots, and Afros. The bill would require that discrimination on this basis be treated as if it were race or national origin discrimination under Titles VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, and certain other Federal civil rights laws.

The President believes that no person should be denied the ability to obtain a job, succeed in school or the workplace, secure housing, or otherwise exercise their rights based on a hair texture or hair style. Over the course of our Nation’s history, society has used hair texture and hairstyle — along with race, national origin and skin color— to discriminate against individuals. Pernicious forms of systemic racism persist when dress and grooming codes, for example, prohibit hair texture or hairstyle that is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Such discrimination has imposed significant economic costs, learning disruption, and denial of economic opportunities for people of color. Black women, for example, experience discrimination in hiring because of natural hair styles, and Black girls experience disproportionate rates of school discipline, sometimes for discriminatory hair violations.