Important cultural ground is shifting in South Carolina. From the Washington Post:
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley plans to call for the removal of the Confederate flag on statehouse grounds, two senior lawmakers said, signaling a significant shift in position from her and other state Republican leaders on the issue.
The New York Times puts a presidential campaign spin on it:
Mr. Graham is expected to make the announcement during a 4 p.m. news conference with Gov. Nikki Haley.
So there’s that. How would it be accomplished? Aaron Gould Sheinin, the AJC's South Carolina political expert, notes that state’s legislature is currently in special session, tasked with passing a budget bill before the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
A provision could be slipped into that budget bill requiring the departure of the Confederate battle emblem.
Gov. Nikki Haley could modify her call for the legislature to meet – i.e., its reason for assembling – to include the flag business. Or the legislature could amend its own adjournment resolution to the same purpose.
Once that is accomplished, the current statute governing the Confederate banner could be addressed on a majority vote.
The Charleston Post and Courier has reached out to each state lawmaker to ask them where they stand on the flag. As the results come in, they'll be updated here.
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