SC Legislators Letting Clock Run Out on Haley's Ethics Reform

It appears as though South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's top priority — the passage of a bill to strengthen the Palmetto State's ethics laws — may be dead in the water.

A coalition of Senate Democrats and Republicans appears determined to let the clock run out on the bill, which must be voted on by the end of the week. Instead, they want the Senate to address a bill that would ban state employees or agencies from using portions of Obamacare.

"The Affordable Care Act scares my constituents to death," state GOP Sen. Kevin Bryant told The State newspaper.

State Sen. Gerald Malloy, a Democrat, said he feels there's not enough time for the Senate to deal with Haley's ethics reform.

The State reports the mood in the Republican governor's office remains optimistic, despite the stall.

"The governor has faith that the Legislature will pass ethics reform this year, as the people of South Carolina deserve nothing less," her spokesman Rob Godfrey said.