ETHICS REFORM. After the ethics debacles of 2012, South Carolinians could be excused if they think they need a bath. Everyone will have their own ideas for strenthening the state’s weak ethics laws. Can politicians reform their own nests?

TRACKING THE PENNY Richland County will begin several road projects, and bus riders will see service improvements as soon as January. Expect to hear the words “scrutiny,” “oversight” and “stewardship” with some frequency as officials spend $1 billion from the new sales tax.

USC SPORTS The Gamecocks’ “Glory Era” in sports should continue unabated. The baseball and basketball teams have new coaches. With football, watch for who will replace Marcus Lattimore, who will start as quarterback and how stellar a year Jadeveon Clowney can have.

The Economy Economists expect improvements to continue this year if the fiscal cliff is averted. The state is poised to attract more commercial investment, which will bring more jobs. And continued low interest rates could spur even more movement in the real estate market.

The government we want Many of us want a smaller government. Many think shrinking government now would hurt most those who can afford it least. We’ll have many conversations in 2013 about who we are and what we want our government to do.