COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is halting state agencies from issuing any new contracts that factor in considerations for minority businesses, a practice that he says is unconstitutional.

McMaster issued an executive order Wednesday telling state agencies to no longer execute spending, procurement, or contract awards based on two laws currently on the books. One states the South Carolina Department of Transportation is required to award a minimum of 5% of certain contracts for highway and infrastructure funds to minority businesses every year. The other requires state agencies to develop and submit a utilization plan showing that 10% of the agency's total controllable annual budget is spent through minority-owned businesses.

He's also asked House Speaker Murrell Smit

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