Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Republican lawmakers say they want to get even tougher on unions to keep them out of the state.

Gov. Nikki Haley says the state's anti-union status is her best tool in recruiting businesses to South Carolina.

The proposal introduced Tuesday in the House would increase penalties for unions that break state law, and require unions to detail their financial data to the state. Unions already file most of the data with the federal Labor Department.

Haley also signed an executive order to ensure striking workers don't get unemployment benefits.

South Carolina law already disqualifies unemployment insurance for striking workers. But the order is designed to ensure the state's unemployment agency knows when workers are striking, and to prevent companies from having to fight a claim for benefits.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)