In our new Top Five feature — five big stories from the past week with policy and legislative implications.
- How new federal rules on solitary confinement could be just the start, The Christian Science Monitor, 1/27/16
The story examines how a lead by President Obama on solitary confinement could cause a significant shift in how American inmates are treated. It’s good reading to keep in mind as South Carolina considers prison reform efforts.
- Feds are protecting state waters for endangered whales, The State, 1/27/16.
A good read on how federal action may help whales and potentially impact other areas, such as shipping. More.
- S.C. ranks 45th on financial security, The State, 1/24/16
This national nonprofit study outlines how many South Carolinians are economically vulnerable. Perhaps the most disturbing thing about the study, which bases its scorecard on factors like assets, income, education, health care and other indicators, says 47 percent of South Carolina households “live in liquid asset poverty,” meaning they don’t have three months of savings to stay above poverty. Reasons for the low ranking also include low-wage jobs and expensive health care.
- State has record number of gun checks in December, The Post and Courier, 1/25/16
You don’t think people take guns seriously in South Carolina. Check out this story. This kind of fear and panic is what is driving gun policy.
- House introduces bill to help rural schools, Rock Hill Herald, 1/29/16
State House members introduced a bill to help rural schools as part of a package of education reform efforts that are responsive to a state Supreme Court ruling to fix schools. If this measure picks up steam, it could be good news to rural areas.
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We Can Do Better, South Carolina!