Columbia Mayor proposes city rideshare regulations in wake of USC student death

The State Weeks after University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson was killed after getting into a car she believed was an Uber, Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin called for stronger regulation of ride-sharing companies within the Palmetto State’s capital city. Benjamin’s proposed regulations included city inspection of all ride-sharing vehicles, designated pick-up points,  and better lighting at pick-up locations, according to a…

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This mayor could be SC’s ‘most coveted endorsement’ for 2020 Dems

McClatchy There are a few “musts” for Democratic presidential candidates visiting South Carolina, a critical early primary state in 2020. One involves a visit with Steve Benjamin. Benjamin, who in 2010 was elected the first African American mayor in Columbia’s history, has emerged as a key player and potential party kingmaker in the state’s political scene. With U.S. House Majority…

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Reactions to Wyatt Dentention Center crisis

Uprise Ri The Rhode Island Immigrant Coalition1, a group (listed below) of more than thirty community organizations and agencies organized to support immigrants in Rhode Island, opposes the detention of immigrants at the Wyatt Detention Centerin Central Falls and is calling for the Revocation of the contract with ICE for detention of immigrants at the Wyatt Detention Center; and that Detained immigrants’ immediate access…

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New Anti-Poverty Campaign Launches in South Carolina

Charleston Chronicle Progressive entrepreneur Joe Sanberg today announced the launch of Working Hero South Carolina, a statewide campaign to ensure that every eligible South Carolinian gets the earned income tax credits. The campaign will be led by communications strategist and community activist Rania Jamison, who will be speaking about the new effort at this weekend’s Charleston Black Expo Economic Empowerment Summit.  The…

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Statement by United States Conference of Mayors President and Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin in Support of El Paso Mayor Dee Margo

Cision WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Below is a statement by United States Conference of Mayors President and Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin in support of El Paso (TX) Mayor Dee Margo:  “Last night during his rally in El Paso, President Trump claimed that El Paso Mayor Dee Margo was ‘full of crap’ because he and other local officials have said that a border fence has not made a difference in reducing crime in the…

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Mayor says Columbia Housing board will review current staff

WLTX Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin says he wants to see the Columbia Housing Authority commissioners keep their staff accountable. This comes several days after one of the commissioners resigned after she said she wasn’t receiving the information she needed to make decisions.  The Housing Authority is under scrutiny after two men–Derrick Roper and Calvin Witherspoon –died of carbon monoxide poisoning…

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Mayor says Columbia Housing board will review current staff

WLTX 19 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin says he wants to see the Columbia Housing Authority commissioners keep their staff accountable. This comes several days after one of the commissioners resigned after she said she wasn’t receiving the information she needed to make decisions.  The Housing Authority is under scrutiny after two men–Derrick Roper and Calvin Witherspoon –died…

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Mayor Barnett, U.S. Conference of Mayors, discuss economic and workforce development at White House

The Oakland Press Last week, Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett and a bipartisan group of mayors went to the White House to meet with the president, vice president and leadership to discuss their economic and workforce development priorities. Barnett is vice president of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and was attending the group’s 87th annual winter meeting in…

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