It's a strategy

that's long overdue

House Speaker Bobby Harrell's plan to offer larger scholarships to students studying math and science should pave the way for a wider discussion about higher education policy. It's long overdue.

It makes sense to offer inducements for students to pursue the degrees we believe will help our state attract better jobs. That's what Mr. Harrell proposes.

It also makes sense to encourage students to work hard in high school and attend college in South Carolina rather than going out of state (often never to return), because that too will pay off economically for the entire state. ...

The answer isn't to eliminate meritbased scholarships. It's to strike a better balance. That means more needs-based scholarships - and more funding for our colleges, which will allow them to hold down tuition. That will cost money, which makes this yet another reason for lawmakers to abandon the parochial approach that has resulted in an inefficient non-system of 33 colleges spread over more than 80 campuses in our small, poor state. But even if lawmakers aren't ready to tackle that problem, they at least need to come up with a balanced, rational way of funding our colleges - one that doesn't close off higher education to large portions of our population.

The (Columbia) State

The trend is toward

a smoke-free environment

A circuit court judge recently cleared the way for Sullivan's Island to enforce its smoking ban. More South Carolina cities seem sure to follow.

Circuit Court Judge Deandra Jefferson dismissed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Sullivans Island ban that forbids smoking in most places other than private homes. ...

Some bars and restaurants have resisted the bans, but they may be fighting a losing battle. The trend clearly is moving toward a smoke-free public environment. ...

Contrary to arguments by smokers, these bans rarely result in a fall-off of business at bars and restaurants. ...

We have long thought that potential legal liability on the part of bar and restaurant owners regarding the health of their employees eventually would bring an end to smoking in public establishments.

Advocates for smoking bans estimate that a worker in a bar where smoking is allowed inhales the equivalent of 1.5 to 2 packs of cigarettes during an eight-hour shift.

We suspect that smoking bans in South Carolina will increase, perhaps even spurring a statewide ban. And the evidence indicates that not only do the bans help protect people's health, they also help businesses' bottom lines.

The (Rock Hill) Herald

Is anyone willing to give

shrimpers another chance?

South Carolina shrimpers just can't seem to catch a break.

Cheaper foreign imports continue to flood the market; 2006 was another lackluster season. And now financing for a new in-state processing plant has fallen apart....

So we throw out this challenge: Is there anyone in the local financial community - bankers, venture capitalists or just well-heeled individuals - willing to take a chance on the idea and give this iconic Lowcountry industry another chance?

Perhaps, it's a matter of looking at the business plan and helping figure out why banks aren't willing to fund a federally subsidized venture that's also gotten state tax breaks, county funding for infrastructure and a donated site.

Yes, it might be risky, but isn't every new business venture just that. Surely, somebody can take a chance on this underdog and help shrimpers stay afloat. You might even make some money.

The (Hilton Head) Island Packet