A leading Republican candidate for governor said Monday he would not support raising South Carolina’s cigarette tax – the nation’s lowest – under any conditions. Attorney General Henry McMaster, spurred by a weekend of back-and-forth discussion on the issue with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Rex, said Monday he would not support raising the tax, spokesman Rob Godfrey said. Rex has proposed raising the tax by $1.2 ... Jump to full article >>

Last January, Killeen City Council members opened to the public a discussion regarding its proposed citywide smoking ban. A year after those public hearings, some who vocalized their opinion on the item still stand their ground while others’ minds have changed. In November 2008, the council discussed the ban, its potential exemptions and looked ready to pass the item. But the following January, its members heard hours of public arguments o ... Jump to full article >>