S.C. Dems seek to ban mandated cheerful greeting




Rep. Nikki Haley, R-Lexington,who garnered the most votes in the GOP gubernatorial primary gives a victory speech to supporters at the Capital City Club in Columbia, S.C., on Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Haley will face Rep. Gresham Barrett in a runoff election in two weeks for the GOP nomination. Her husband Michael, son Nalin and daughter Rana stand behind her. (AP Photo/Rich Glickstein/The State) (AP Photo)


(CBS News) COLUMBIA, S.C. - Two South Carolina legislators say state employees shouldn't have to answer the phone with Gov. Nikki Haley's mandated cheery greeting unless it's truly a great day in South Carolina.

Democratic state Reps. John Richard King and Wendell Gilliard have filed legislation saying no state agency can force its employees to answer the phone with, "It's a great day in South Carolina," as long as state unemployment is 5 percent or higher.

Their bill also would prohibit requiring the greeting as long as all South Carolinians don't have health insurance.

At a September meeting, Haley ordered her Cabinet agencies to embrace the greeting, saying it could help change the mood of state government. A Haley spokesman says the Republican governor stands by the greeting.