COLUMBIA --- State Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, says the Lower Savannah Council of Governments exploited legislative loopholes before Tuesday's election, and he plans to push for tighter restrictions when the South Carolina General Assembly convenes next year.

"Public bodies should not engage in political activity, period," said Mr. Ryberg, referring to the council. "And private individuals should not use public entities to hide their political activity."

On Tuesday, voters in Graniteville, Vaucluse and Warrenville rejected a referendum to combine the communities into one incorporated municipality by 1,331-763.

Mr. Ryberg had said the council's accounting activities on behalf of supporters of incorporation fell outside the proper role of a nonprofit. He also criticized the council's refusal to reveal the full list of donors who had given more than $40,000 in support of incorporation.

In denying Mr. Ryberg's Freedom of Information Act request to obtain the donors' identities, the council cited an exemption in the FOIA for those giving charitable gifts.

For Mr. Ryberg's part, however, "These individuals used a law designed to allow gifts to public schools or charities and used it for a vehicle for their political ends."

Wayne Rogers, the executive director of the Lower Savannah Council of Governments, declined to respond to Mr. Ryberg's criticisms.

But in earlier correspondence with the senator, the council had defended its activities as typical council business.

The council and organizations similar to it are allowed to engage in political activities as long as they are not campaigning for a particular candidate for public office, according to the South Carolina Department of Revenue.