This month, we’re introducing a new feature to help you stay even more on top of important policy and legislative news that you might have missed.
It’s called “Top Five.” It includes five big stories from the previous week with policy and legislative implications. We hope it is helpful.
- DHEC is too big, Peeler writes, Orangeburg Times and Democrat
“Flu shots and dams … oysters and septic tanks … hospitals and landfills. What is the connection in all of these? “The connection is DHEC — our Department of Health and Environmental Control. DHEC is larger than 76 percent of our towns in South Carolina. It is larger than Pickens, St. Matthews, Sullivan’s Island. Larger even than Pamplico, where a new four-lane highway is being built to attract tourism. DHEC has 3,500 employees — and a budget of $600 million.”
- House panel scrutinizes, praises DSS, Associated Press
“Child advocates and some lawmakers have complained about the Department of Social Services for years, saying the social welfare agency is underfunded and was letting vulnerable and abused children slip through the cracks. But at Wednesday’s hearing of a subcommittee of the House Legislative Oversight Committee, DSS and Director Susan Alford, on the job for about a year, were praised.”
- Spearman says poor schools should get grants, not loans, Associated Press | Post and Courier
State Superintendent Molly Spearman told a Senate panel that the state should not require funds provided to poor schools be repaid, but should give money in the form of grants. Why? Because they simply can’t afford it.
- President takes executive action on guns, The New York Times
You might know about this, but should probably read this in-depth piece to better understand what it means, particularly thinking about how the executive action on guns might impact policy in South Carolina. The story outlines President Obama’s set of executive orders to ramp up background checks, increase penalties for not reporting lost or stolen firearms, and more.
- To get Graham’s endorsement, candidate must challenge Trump, Cruz, Greenville News
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., after dropping his presidential bid: “It’s not enough to criticize Obama. All of us do it. But are you willing to criticize Trump? Are you willing to say Ted Cruz’ approach to immigration is not practical? Are you willing to say — when Ted Cruz says we’re going to eliminate the IRS — it’s not going to happen? This is really a fight for the heart and soul of the party, and I’m looking for somebody who’s willing to fight.”
- Want more stories like these? If you’d like to get these updates in much more depth every business day, we encourage you to subscribe to our sister publication, S.C. Clips. Click here for a two-week test drive.
- Have a suggestion? If you have a suggestion for a story to include in our weekly list, please send the story and source to: feedback@statehousereport.com.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!