5 Stories This Week In SC Politics: Common Core, Clashes, Crossovers And The Comptroller Said What?

What happens when the General Assembly gets back to work.

1. EXCUSE me?!!

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SC Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom's statements about the type of students at South Carolina State University did not go over well.

After he argued with Gov. Nikki Haley that the school should not get a $6 million bailout because it was not sustainable, he abstained when it came down to the final (tense) vote.

That may have been because he had angered SC State alumni and supporters in the audience only minutes earlier. Eckstrom said he was afraid students wouldn't be able to help the school financially, calling them "kids who are going there because they can’t get into these other schools." Supporters in attendance noticeably grumbled in response, and it didn't take long for many black lawmakers to condemn the remark.

Eckstrom clarified that he meant students at the school "can't afford" other schools. Not surprisingly, that didn't go over well either. Once it was apparent he had lost the audience, Eckstrom didn't comment for the rest of the meeting and quietly slipped out afterwards.

2. Common Core no more?

The state Senate this week moved along a bill that would pull the plug on Common Core use in South Carolina classrooms -- but only after next year. It would also stop the use of assessments that go along with Common Core.

A majority in the House and Senate want the state to devise its own teaching and testing methods on its own.

It's well documented that South Carolina lawmakers don't like relying on some outside power.

3. Clash of the Titans

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The ongoing legal clash between one of South Carolina's most powerful politicians and the state's top prosecutor had another match in court this week.

Attorneys representing SC House Speaker Bobby Harrell argued before a judge Friday that Attorney General Alan Wilson should not be handling an investigation into Harrell, A libertarian thinktank filed a complaint against Harrell in 2012, accusing him of abusing his office to benefit himself and his business. Wilson requested an investigation by state police, then turned the evidence over to a grand jury.

Harrell has denied the accusations and says the Attorney General does not have the authority to prosecute him. His attorneys argue ethics violations should be handled by the House Ethics Committee. The AG says it has become a potential criminal indictment and that's in his kingdom.

Harrell wields a lot of power through the Speaker's Office (the House helps elect all state judges), but Wilson has strong allies in state government himself. But, rumor has it, one has a little something else up his sleeve...

4. None shall pass (after May 1)

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The crossover deadline was this week. That's the last day that a bill can pass either the state House or Senate and "cross" to the other chamber. In other words, from May 1 until the end of the session this summer, lawmakers can only debate legislation that has passed at least one of the two bodies.

Several bills that did not make it this year included several proposed abortion restrictions and an open records law.

Of course, those bills technically have a chance. It would just require a two-thirds supermajority vote and virtually unanimous support in order to pass in less than a month...

5. Endorsements roll in

In the race for South Carolina's lesser-known offices, it's not who you are -- but who you know.

At least, that's the thinking by most political operatives. All week, we've heard about big political names endorsing little-known candidates in Republican and Democratic primaries for offices like lieutenant governor, education superintendent, and even U.S. Senate. (see here, here, and here)

The hope is that well-liked personalities may provide a leg up for candidates in races where voters literally have no idea who to vote for. It's a way to differentiate yourself from other party opponents whose positions and words are very close to your own.