COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Gov. Nikki Haley can watch the University of South Carolina Gamecocks from a free luxury football suite only if she is conducting state business, the State Ethics Commission decided Wednesday.
The commission's advisory opinion is a revision from last September, when the board unanimously said the university can continue its longstanding practice of providing free tickets to the box to whoever occupies the governor's mansion, calling it a gift to the office rather than Haley herself.
While last fall's opinion said state business -- such as courting company executives or hosting out-of-state dignitaries -- should be a priority for the 16 tickets, it allowed for personal use.