INSIDE ISSUE 18.16 | APRIL 19, 2019
NEWS: Lots of bills still await action
BRIEFS: Senate passes budget; education, marijuana up next week
COMMENTARY, Brack: Democrats might screw up chance to beat tower of jelly
NOW AVAILABLE: New book outlines how to make South Carolina better
SPOTLIGHT: ACLU of South Carolina
MY TURN, Hillman: Focus on data, research, outcomes to boost education
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
MYSTERY PHOTO: What’s this old photo?
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Patriot John Laurens
NEWS: Lots of bills still await action
By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | Before a bill becomes a law, it must be passed by both legislative bodies. Then the bill goes through ratification, which includes a signature from the governor.
You probably remember this from Schoolhouse Rock.
More than 1,000 bills have been filed so far in the first year of the 2019-2020 legislative session, and scores have received a majority vote by either the Senate or the House — but not both as required to head to the governor for a signature into law. These bills are in an odd hiatus as the 2019 session winds down. They could make it to a floor vote any time before the mid-session break next month or they might be put off until next year.
- Want to know what’s passed so far this session? See the 31 ratified bills here.
The floor calendar isn’t crowded in the S.C. House, which currently has only one Senate-passed bill awaiting passage on its floor: S. 735, which seeks to abolish the Clarendon County Board of Education and have the legislative delegation there appoint trustees of education in the county.
But both chambers have many bills under consideration that have passed only one chamber. We’ve arranged the bills in several topical categories, such as education, health care, child protection, environment, energy and more.
EDUCATION
Reinforcing College Education on America’s Constitutional Heritage Act (S. 35): This bill would require makes it a requisite for graduation, to provide that each public higher education schools must provide instruction concerning the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the Declaration of Independence to each student for at least one year. The Senate passed the bill Feb. 14 and it is now in the House Education and Public Works Committee.
Expanding private school vouchers (H. 3136): This bill would expand the Exceptional S.C. tax credit program for children with special needs to attend private school. It would bring the maximum amount from $12 million to $20 million in reimbursements. It passed the House Feb. 1. It is now in the Senate Finance Committee.
Massive education reform package (H. 3759): Fewer tests, better teacher pay, school consolidation and more are all part of this comprehensive reform package. It passed the House March 7. It is now in the Senate Education Committee.
HEALTH CARE
Ban on local tobacco bans (H. 3274): The bill says political subdivisions may not enact any laws, ordinances or rules pertaining to ingredients, flavors or licensing of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, tobacco products or alternative nicotine products. Local government laws, ordinances or rules enacted prior to Jan. 1, 2019, are exempt from the preemption imposed by this legislation. The billI passed the House Feb. 27, and received a favorable report from Senate Medical Affairs Committee March 21.
Tax credits for clinical rotations (S. 314): This bill allows an income tax credit for clinical rotations served by a physician, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant as a preceptor for public teaching institutions and independent institutions of higher learning. The Senate passed it Feb. 13. It is now in the House Ways and Means Committee.
Expanding physician assistant practice (S. 132): The bill, among many things, revises the Act to include several provisions that include expanding the responsibilities and duties of physician assistants. It passed the Senate March 21. It is now in the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.
Ban on under-age use of tanning beds (H. 3807): The bill would require customers using tanning beds be over the age of 18. The House passed the bill April 4. It is now in the Senate Medical Affairs Committee.
Interstate medical licensing (H. 3101): The measure would allow qualified physicians to practice medicine in all member states of a 25-state compact by applying for an expedited license through the licensure board of the physician’s principal state. It passed the House Feb. 28. It is now in the Senate Medical Affairs Committee.
ENVIRONMENT
Allowance for local taxes to be used for flooding mitigation (S. 217): This bill revises provisions relating to the expenditure of the state accommodations tax, local hospitality tax and local accommodations tax. It also would allow the revenue to be expended for the control and repair of flooding and drainage at tourism-related lands or areas and for site preparation, including demolition, repair, or construction. The Senate passed the bill Jan. 23. It is now in the House Ways and Means Committee
South Carolina Resilience Revolving Fund (S. 259): The proposed legislation would create a fund to provide low interest loans to perform flooded-home buyouts and floodplain restoration. The Senate passed it March 20. It is now in the House Ways and Means Committee.
Water resource statewide plan (H. 4011): The bill adds a “State Water Plan” as an example of a comprehensive water resource policy in which a state agency provides assistance to the governor and General Assembly in formulating. It passed the House April 5. It is now in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
WORKFORCE
Panthers incentive package (H. 4243): The legislation revises job tax credit provisions to allow a professional sports team to be eligible for the tax credits for jobs created. It passed the House March 27. It is now in the Senate Finance Committee.
Workforce scholarship for industry needs (H. 3576): The scholarship created by this bill would cover the full cost of a technical college education that equips a student for a career in sector experiencing a high demand for qualified employees. It passed the House Feb. 1, and received a favorable report Senate Education Committee March 14.
Professional licenses for military spouses (S. 455): This bill establishes a protocol that expedites the issuance of professional and occupational licenses to spouses of military personnel transferred to South Carolina when the spouse holds a professional or occupational license issued by another state. The Senate passed it March 7. It is now in the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.
Lactation support (H. 3200): This bill would require employers to make reasonable efforts to provide workers with reasonable unpaid break time and space to express milk at work. It passed the House March 7. It is now in the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.
CHILD PROTECTION
Ban on underage marriage (S. 196): This bill would repeal existing state law that permits an unmarried female and male under the age of 18 to get a marriage license when the female is pregnant or has borne a child. The Senate passed it Jan. 30. It is now in the House Judiciary Committee.
Allowing “free-range” child rearing (S. 79): This bill would not consider children participating in independent activities as subjected to child abuse or neglect. Activities include walking or bicycling to and from school or recreational centers, outdoor play, being alone at home so long as a parent or guardian will return to that home the same day and the child has been provided emergency contact information, as well as similar, but unspecified, independent activities. The bill passed the Senate March 6. It is now in the House Judiciary Committee.
Expanding foster care options for children (S. 191): Kinship foster care would be extended to people not related to children by blood or marriage but have a relationship with a child. It passed the Senate March 5. It is now in the House Judiciary Committee.
Banning female genital mutilation (H. 3973): The bill would make it a felony to mutilate the genitalia of females who are under the age of 18 or older females who are unable to consent to the procedure. The bill passed the House March 6. It is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and was assigned to subcommittee March 15.
Child brides (H. 3369): This bill would eliminate a S.C. law that allows the issuance of marriage licenses to those who are under 18 years of age when the female is pregnant or has borne a child. It passed the House Feb. 1, and it is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Expanding age of children that can be abandoned at safe haven (H. 3294): This bill would allow for infants up to one year old to be abandoned at designated safe locations without criminal penalty. Under current law, babies must be younger than 60 days old. The House passed the bill March 6. It is now in the Senate Family and Veterans’ Services Committee.
ENERGY AND UTILITIES
Solar promotion and industry protections (H. 3659): This major bill would lift a cap on solar energy generation reimbursement for rooftop solar customers. It also would , and mandate contract lengths between utilities and independent solar generators. It passed the House Feb. 22, and received a favorable report from Senate Judiciary Committee April 10.
Evaluating sale of Santee Cooper (H. 4287): This bill would direct a legislative committee to evaluate bids for the sale of state-owned utility Santee cooper. It passed the House April 4. It is now in the Senate Finance Committee.
Solar energy tax credits (S. 362): This bill seeks to provide for an income tax credit to an individual or business that constructs, purchases or leases certain solar energy property and that places it in service in this state. The Senate passed it March 5. It is now in the House Ways and Means Committee.
Cooperatives oversight and transparency (H. 3145): This bill seeks to regulate and provide oversight to electric cooperatives in the state. It passed the House March 26. It is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and was assigned to subcommittee April 5.
Ratepayer protection (H. 4260): This bill would provide protections for whistleblowers, provides regulation of who can serve as a utility regulator and more. It passed the House April 2. It is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Public Service Authority reform (H. 4261): This bill would end current board membership for those overseeing Santee Cooper and establish appointments for new board members. It passed the House April 4. It is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Fentanyl trafficking (H. 3730): This bill would create the criminal offense of “trafficking in fentanyl” for quantities of 4 grams or more. First time offenders could receive up to 10 years in jail. It passed the House April 10. It is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Criminalizing terrorism aid (H. 3046): The legislation would establish the felony offense of furthering terrorism that applies to someone who makes significant plans or takes actions toward the commission of an act of violence with the intent to commit an act of terrorism. A violator is subject to imprisonment for up to 30 years. It passed the House March 26. It is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and was assigned to subcommittee April 11.
TECHNOLOGY
Rural broadband access (H. 3780): The legislation would establish the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology Fund as a special revenue fund in the S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority that is to be used for awarding state grants, in conjunction with federal funds, that are to be used to pay for the infrastructure costs associated with deploying high speed, high capacity, broadband Internet access to homes, businesses, and community anchor points in an unserved area of an economically-distressed county. It passed the House April 4, and it is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Wireless access (H. 4262): This bill would prevent local governments from imposing regulations on small wireless facilities, and would establish standards for such facilities. It passed the House April 4. It is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it was assigned to subcommittee April 10.
OTHER MEASURES
Local government fund revisions (H. 3137): The legislation would discontinue the former approach for funding political subdivisions that is tied to the previous year’s revenues and would tie local government funding to state revenue forecasts. The funding requirement for the Local Government Fund, set at 4.5 percent of the previous year’s state general fund revenues, would beis replaced with new funding requirements structured to deliver a revenue stream to counties and municipalities that is adjusted according to whether the state is projected to experience revenue growth. It passed the House Feb. 1, and received a favorable report from Senate Finance Committee April 9.
Ethics: Subpoena power for chamber ethics committees (H. 3446): This bill would provide authorization for House and Senate ethics committees to issue subpoenas to financial institutions and state and local government to further their investigations of campaign accounts. It passed the House Feb. 1. It is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Animal cruelty: Tethering, animal cruelty education, more (S. 105): This bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation seeking to enact six big changes in the state in animal cruelty: requiring judges to get training in animal cruelty, setting penalties for tethering dogs, placing young animals with shelters, sterilization of stray cats, animal rescuers can seek reimbursement from the former owner, and establishment of a special fund to sterilize animals. It passed the Senate March 28. It is now in the House Judiciary Committee.
Death penalty: Electrocution could be standard without lethal injection (S. 176): Death-row inmates would be able to decide between lethal injection or electrocution should drugs for lethal injection be available, but the bill would also make electrocution the de facto execution method if those drugs are unavailable. It passed the Senate Jan. 31. It is now in the House Judiciary Committee.
Protection for human trafficking victims (S. 194): This bill would increase the penalties for soliciting prostitution, establishing or keeping a house of prostitution, or inducing another to participate in prostitution, and permits, as an affirmative defense to these charges, that an accused is a victim of human trafficking. The Senate passed it Jan. 29. It is now in the House Judiciary Committee.
Sheriff qualifications (H. 3951): The bill would require any elected sheriff to receive law enforcement training through the Class I Certification, and disqualifies someone from holding the office who has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been pardoned for a felony or a crime of moral turpitude in this state or another state. TIn order to be eligible to serve as a sheriff, an individual must be a legal resident of the state for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the election for sheriff and a legal resident of the county in which he seeks the office of sheriff at the time he files for office. It passed the House April 3, and was recalled from the Senate Judiciary Committee April 11.
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com
NEWS BRIEFS
Senate passes budget; education, marijuana up next week
By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | Senators wrapped up two days of fierce deliberations this week on the $9.3 billion state spending plan.
The budget, H. 4000, passed 38-4 with Republicans Richard Cash, Wes Climer, Larry Grooms, Greg Hembree, Shane Massey and Rex Rice voting against the bill.
One item that was rejected from the Senate budget was a Finance Committee proviso that directed the sale of state-owned utility Santee Cooper through the Department of Administration, according to Grooms, who opposed the proviso. According to Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, the bill that seeks to authorize this move has been moved to special order of the calendar.
Here is a roundup of stories on the budget this week:
- Senators approved an amendment 40-4 to prevent S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control or local government entities from using state funds to approve licenses or permits associated with offshore drilling or seismic testing. Read more.
- Where did lawmakers choose to send the nearly $1 billion windfall that came to state coffers this year? Check out the sidebar in this Post and Courier story.
- Senators reject effort to ban local governments from enacting single-use plastics bans.
- An attempt to ban all abortions from covered medical procedures for state employees was rejected.
- Teacher pay raises (4 percent) and state employee pay raises (2 percent) were kept the same as the House. Read more.
- Lawmakers approve $50 rebates.
In other news:
- Amid the budget deliberations on the Senate floor, senators confirmed the gubernatorial nomination of S.C. Department of Social Services Director Michael Leach. He received unanimous support.
Weekly update on Palmetto Priorities
Throughout the legislative session, we’ll provide you relevant updates related to our list of Palmetto Priorities, which are 10 big policy areas where major progress is needed for South Carolina to escape the bottom of lots of lists. Over the last week:
EDUCATION: Briefing on Senate version of reform Tuesday. The full Senate Education Committee convenes one hour after adjournment April 23 in room 209 of the Gressette building to discuss the massive education reform efforts in the state. See the agenda here. It could get an up-or-down vote from the committee as early as Wednesday.
HEALTHCARE: Medical marijuana to be heard in committee Thursday. The Compassionate Care Act will be in front of the full Senate Medical Affairs Committee 9 a.m. April 25 in room 209 of the Gressette building. See the agenda here.
Looking ahead
Click below for other items coming up in the Statehouse:
- House calendar
- Senate calendar
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com
BRACK: Democrats might screw up chance to beat tower of jelly
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Democrats better watch it or they will screw up a huge opportunity to retake the White House in 2020.
With all of the toils and troubles of incumbent President Donald Triump — the lies, the mobster culture, the scandals, the Mueller investigation, the misogyny, the drama, the incessant twittering, the blatant corruption, the continuing attacks on the foundation of our democracy — one might think he would be easy political pickings. But with a solid electoral base of about 40 percent, all that Trump has to do to win in 2020 is prey on fear to pick up 10 percent and fuel dissent about Democrats. Scary.
Even with an incumbent with so many flaws, the Democratic Party’s biggest foil to winning in 2020 might just be Democrats themselves.
They’re not helping themselves one iota with old-time liberal talk that feeds moderate fears that a Democratic White House will destroy the country. I, for one, am sick and tired of political tangents like economic reparations for slavery, the so-called Green New Deal, free college, guaranteed government jobs, getting rid of the immigration service, and on and on.
These issues don’t reflect mainstream Democrats. In fact, talk on these skew issues is being fueled not only by a media itching for the next dumb clickbait story, but by the dozen and a half Democratic presidential campaigns as well as the far left of the Democratic Party.
It’s as if they see the trap in front of them, but they’re so blinded by immediate politics of now that they can’t focus on the bigger goal of beating Trump. All the while, he and minions are rubbing their hands together, whispering “no collusion” and ramping up rhetoric by calling wacky Democratic ideas what they’re not: socialism.
Earth to electorate: People can have policy differences without being socialists. And if you’re worried about socialism, what do you make about Trump, a tower of jelly whenever it comes to Russia and former Communists running that country? You should be mad that Trump seems to be so cozy with Russians, enemies who actively corrupted and interfered with American elections in 2016.
Earth to Democrats: Focus on real issues like building economic opportunity for all and practical ways to make health care more accessible and more affordable. Focusing on what won’t ever become real policy is like intentionally buying lottery tickets to lose.
The disconnect in the Democratic Party seems to be due to an energized, more progressive wing of the party that is, well, just a lot louder than mainstream and moderate Democrats. And since the louder Democrats are more progressive, many in the not-so-bright media focus on those who are making the noise, which makes Democrats appear to the larger electorate that they are more left than they are.
Data from the Hidden Tribes Project, as reported in The New York Times, suggests outspoken Democrats using social media to energize people are outnumbered 2 to 1 “by the more moderate, more diverse and less educated group of Democrats who typically don’t post political content online. … This latter group has the numbers to decide the Democratic presidential nomination in favor of a relatively moderate establishment favorite, as it has often done in the past.”
Data also show that only one in four Democrats who use social media for politics say they’re moderate or conservative, compared to 53 percent of other Democrats. And interestingly, 70 percent of Democrats who don’t use social media say political correctness is a problem, compared to half of Democrats on social media.
The Times’ analysis suggests there’s a chance that a more progressive candidate could win the Democratic nomination, just as it would be a mistake to dismiss the candidacy of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent running in the Democratic primary.
“But it would also be a mistake to assume that outrage on social media means outrage throughout the broader electorate,” the story concludes. “And it would be a mistake to assume that more moderate Democrats are out of step with the party’s electorate.”
If Democrats keep plowing the far left path, they’ll head toward losing. If they go toward the middle where most of America is, they can beat Trump.
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com.
Brack’s new book highlights how S.C. can do better
Statehouse Report editor and publisher Andy Brack has a new book of selected columns since 2014 that delve into how South Carolina can do better to help people through politics and the governing process.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina! offers incisive commentaries on the American South, the common good and interesting South Carolina leaders, such as former U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings, civil rights advocate Septima Clark, former S.C. Gov. David Beasley and more. There also are discussions on civil rights struggles with which the Palmetto State continues to grapple. as well as commentaries on politics, governments, the hangovers of South Carolina’s past and her future opportunities. The 227-page book ends with a discussion of Palmetto Priorities — columns related to Statehouse Report’s continuing push for state lawmakers to adopt a broad agenda for reform throughout government. Included are discussions on education, tax reform, environmental justice and more.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina! is available exclusively as a Kindle book for $7.99. Click here to purchase a Kindle copy. A paperback version will be ready for order in the next week.
- If you have a comment or questions about the book, please let us know at: feedback@statehousereport.com.
SPOTLIGHT: ACLU of South Carolina
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring Statehouse Report to you at no cost. This week’s spotlighted underwriter is the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU of South Carolina is dedicated to preserving the civil liberties enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Through communications, lobbying and litigation, the ACLU of South Carolina works to preserve and enhance the rights of all citizens of South Carolina. Foremost among these rights are freedom of speech and religion, the right to equal treatment under law, and the right to privacy.
HILLMAN: Focus on data, research, outcomes to boost education
By Arnold Hillman, special to Statehouse Report | Very often in its work to try and improve education in South Carolina, state government begins its deliberation with certain hypotheses about what is wrong and how to fix it. Recently, House Speaker Jay Lucas took a massive stab at trying to hurdle current problems and move South Carolina’s education system from the bottom of states to a higher plane. One can only compliment Speaker Lucas for his work and determination.
The first plan has already gone on its merry political way by the House passing a reshaped bill by a 113-4 vote. There has been some antipathy to certain parts of the plan by pressure groups and a state Senate that do not agree with the entire bill. Although the House passed much of the speaker’s work, there are few pundits who believe that it will travel through the Senate unscathed.
An unseemly part of any attempt at elevating education in the Palmetto State is the lack of actual research that might lay out exactly what is wrong with the system. As with other efforts in other states, there are assumptions that current panaceas — such as consolidation, state takeovers, vouchers and raising teacher salaries — will go a long way to fix things. They will not.
There is extant research that can be acquired that will help with identifying the actual problems of education in South Carolina. This activity would make looking at possible solutions so much easier and even more effective. The reality in many of the “failing” school districts is that they may well be successful in many areas, but not in taking standardized tests. Why is that? There are a number of examples in the state. One size does not fit all.
The most obvious flaw in not relying on research is to disregard a complete look at communities that spawn these kinds of school districts. A complete, 360-degree look at a school district community will elicit a panoply of information that could identify possible solutions to problems. Large-scale reviews of such things as the Rural Health Action Plan will paint a more complete picture of the school district. These pieces of information are currently available.
In the area of school funding, there are those who say that “money does not matter.” Yes, money most certainly does matter, but the way in which funds are expended may be just as important. Priorities in school districts may even be historical. Experience may show us that certain school districts focus on certain specific academic or extracurricular activities. This may explain greater efforts in these areas of endeavor. This might explain student outcomes in those areas, and not in others.
Although not a greater part of any plan is the issue of leadership. As in any human activity, leadership is clearly a large part of a “successful” school district. There are those individuals who do not profess to be “policy wonks.” They are those who can enter into any system and improve it. They like to be referred to as “mechanics.” How to identify such people and place them in positions of authority in a school district is a necessity if we are going to improve education in South Carolina. Is there research on this topic? There are reams of information and conclusive studies.
Where does this all lead to? If we are data- and research-driven, and outcomes-focused, we can begin right now to improve education in South Carolina. If we are intent on doing this the “right way,” our first task is to create the questions and then gather the research.
Longtime educator Arnold Hillman is a founder of the S.C. Organization of Rural Schools. He lives in Bluffton.
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FEEDBACK
Send us your thoughts … or rants
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- Send your letters or comments to: feedback@statehousereport.com
MYSTERY PHOTO: What’s this old photo?
What do you think the old photo, above, is all about? We’ve altered the photo a little to take away some obvious clues, but there’s still enough there for you to have a good guess. Bonus points: Where was it taken in South Carolina? Send your guess about the location of this photo to feedback@statehousereport.com. And don’t forget to include your name and the town in which you live.
Our previous Mystery Photo
The subject of our April 12 mystery, “What is this photo all about?” was pretty easy — it showed a young Ernest F. Hollings, the former governor and U.S. senator who died April 6. Several people correctly identified the senator, but only one sleuth, George Graf of Palmyra, Va., guessed correctly that the photo was taken around during Hollings’ 1954 campaign for lieutenant governor. Others who correctly identified Hollings were Dale Rhodes of Richmond, Va.; Gwen Strickland of Marion; and Bill Segars and Don Clark, both of Hartsville.
- Send us a mystery: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA
HISTORY: Patriot John Laurens
S.C. Encyclopedia | Soldier and diplomat John Laurens was born in Charleston on October 28, 1754, the son of the prominent merchant and planter Henry Laurens and his wife, Eleanor Ball. After studying under tutors in Charleston, Laurens traveled to London in 1771 for further schooling. He first enrolled in Richard Clarke’s school for Carolina boys before moving to Geneva, Switzerland, in May 1772. Laurens lived in Geneva, a city noted for its republicanism and excellence in education, until August 1774, when he returned to London to study law in the Middle Temple at the Inns of Court.
In December 1776 Laurens sailed to Charleston to enlist in the American War of Independence. He left behind in England his pregnant wife, Martha Manning, whom he had secretly married earlier in the year. The following summer he traveled to Philadelphia with his father, who had been elected to the Continental Congress. Laurens joined General George Washington’s staff and became the best friend of fellow aide Alexander Hamilton. In the forefront at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, Laurens won a reputation for reckless bravery.
After the British shifted military operations to the South, Laurens proposed that South Carolina arm slaves and grant them freedom in return for their military service. In March 1779 Congress approved his idea and commissioned him lieutenant colonel. Elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, Laurens introduced his black-regiment plan in 1779 and 1780 and met overwhelming defeat each time. His belief that blacks shared a similar nature with whites and could aspire to freedom in a republican society would set Laurens apart from all other prominent South Carolinians in the Revolutionary War period.
At the same time, Laurens continued his military service. When the British threatened Charleston in May 1779, he opposed Governor John Rutledge’s offer to surrender the city on the condition that the state be allowed to remain neutral for the duration of the war.
That fall Laurens commanded an infantry column in the failed assault on Savannah. After being captured when Charleston surrendered in May 1780, he was exchanged in November.
In December 1780 Congress appointed Laurens special minister to France. He arrived in France in March 1781. In a whirlwind two-month mission he obtained a loan from the Netherlands, military supplies, and French assurances that their navy would operate in American waters that year. Laurens finished his diplomatic duties in time to join Washington at Yorktown, where the timely arrival of the French fleet secured a decisive American victory. Laurens represented the American army in negotiating the British surrender.
Laurens returned to South Carolina and made a final attempt to secure approval of his plan for a black regiment. At Jacksonborough in early 1782, the House again decisively rejected his proposal, though the debate was heated. Laurens served under General Nathanael Greene and spent his final months operating a spy network that gathered intelligence of British activities in Charleston. On August 27, 1782, he was killed in a skirmish on the Combahee River.
— Excerpted from an entry Gregory D. Massey. This entry may not have been updated since 2006. To read more about this or 2,000 other entries about South Carolina, check out The South Carolina Encyclopedia, published in 2006 by USC Press. (Information used by permission.)
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