SC Statehouse Closed On Weekends To Save Money

    COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina’s Statehouse will no longer
be open on the weekends.
    State Rep. Rex Rice said Friday a joint legislative committee
that oversees the Statehouse and its grounds has decided to lock up
the capitol outside of regular business hours to save the money it
pays security guards to check visitors.
    The Easley Republican says the number of tourists visiting the
Statehouse has declined since a renovation of the facility was
completed more than a decade ago.
    The Statehouse’s new hours for the public are 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
weekdays. The gift shop and tour office will be open 9 a.m. to 4
p.m.
    Rice says he doesn’t know how much the state will save under the
temporary plan, which could be reconsidered by lawmakers when they
return to Columbia in January.