Russ McKinney

Columbia

Reporter and Producer at WSCI-FM (Charleston, SC)

Public Affairs Producer SC Public Radio

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Articles

The State House Gavel: $14B budget with in-district pay raise goes to gov, House looks at roads

1 week ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Happy Thursday. You're reading The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinneyandMaayan Schechter that previews and captures what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse while lawmakers are in session. We said we'd be back briefly, and we meant it. The Legislature returned Wednesday for one day only to pass a $14.5 billion state general fund spending plan that goes into effect on July 1. It wasn't the only issue lawmakers dealt with in their return.
The State House Gavel: Lawmakers back to OK $14B budget that spends on bridges, pay raises

1 week ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Happy Wednesday. And welcome back, briefly, to a special edition of The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinneyandMaayan Schechter that previews and captures what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse while lawmakers are in session. Lawmakers have returned to Columbia for one day only to pass the $14.5 billion state general fund budget. It then will be sent to Gov. Henry McMaster, whohas line-item veto power.
The State House Gavel: GOP, Dem leaders sound off post-sine die

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Happy Friday. The 2025 regular South Carolina legislative session has ended. But it's not technically over just yet. First, we want to say thank you to all of our State House Gavel readers over the past five months who have followed our reporting since its inception. We are taking a short break, but plan to return later this month with more Statehouse coverage.
The State House Gavel: Energy, liquor liability, hands-free driving bills head to gov's desk

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

A very happy Thursday. It's the final day of the South Carolina legislative session. The House returns at 10 a.m. and the Senate is in at 10:01 a.m.Sine die strikes at 5 p.m. A Friday preview: Don't miss Friday's edition of The State House Gavel that will include interviews with House and Senate leaders about what lawmakers accomplished in 2025, and what they hope to get done next year.
The State House Gavel: GOP leaders strike liquor liability compromise, Senate takes on energy

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Welcome to Wednesday. There are roughly 36 hours until sine die, but who's counting? The regular session gavels out at 5 p.m. Thursday. You're reading The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney and Maayan Schechter that previews and captures what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse this year while lawmakers are in session.
The State House Gavel: What we're watching in the final week, from energy to liquor liability

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Happy Tuesday. It is finally, the final week of the South Carolina legislative session. Here comes some long floor fights and smattering of conference committees. Sine die is 5 p.m. Thursday. And, remember, the sine die resolution — which tells lawmakers what they can take up should they return post-regular session — is narrow, leaving the Legislature with plans to only really return to Columbia to finalize the more than $14 billion state spending plan.
The State House Gavel: Voucher bill, energy and more on 'liquor liability plus'

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Happy Thursday. There are three days left on the South Carolina Legislature's calendar. Sine die — the traditional term for an end to a legislative calendar — is 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 8. You're reading The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney and Maayan Schechter that previews and captures what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse this year while lawmakers are in session.
The State House Gavel: Environmental leader confirmed, income tax and tort reform updates

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Happy Thursday and welcome to May. There are four days left of the legislative session.
The State House Gavel: Speaker says no action on treasurer this session

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Welcome to Wednesday. There are five days remaining on the Statehouse calendar. We'll break down where we're at in the legislative session. First, a couple of notable mentions. Vice President JD Vance is headed to the Lowcountry. Vance will tour the Nucor Steel plant in Berkeley County Thursday with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.
The State House Gavel: What we're watching with 6 days left on the calendar

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Happy Tuesday. Welcome to Week 16 of the South Carolina legislative session. There are six regular session days left on the General Assembly's calendar. Sine die comes at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 8. You're reading The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney and Maayan Schechter that previews and captures what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse this year while lawmakers are in session. We're down to the penultimate week of the legislative session.

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Russ McKinney

Russ McKinney @rangerruss

10 Apr 25

RT @MaryGreenNews: NEW: Treasurer Curtis Loftis is asking the SC Supreme Court to halt his April 21 removal from office hearing in the Sena…

Russ McKinney

Russ McKinney @rangerruss

31 Mar 25

RT @JSCollinsAP: SC House Ways & Means meets Tuesday 1030a on the sweeping tax changes flashily proposed last week. This chart probably get…

Russ McKinney

Russ McKinney @rangerruss

23 Jan 25

SC auditor tangled up in $1.8B accounting error resigns | South Carolina Public Radio https://t.co/CKgpjsjJTc