By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | South Carolina lacks policies and legislation to prevent cancer, reduce its suffering and curb deaths from the disease, according to a progress report by the American Cancer Society.
In 2019 alone, South Carolina will see nearly 30,000 people diagnosed with cancer, the report said
“We owe it to them—and to everyone at risk of developing this disease—to do everything in our power to prevent cancer and improve access to screenings and treatment,” said Beth Johnson, South Carolina government relations director for the Society.
“How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality,” which was released Aug. 1, says South Carolina met policy recommendations in just two of the eight evaluated issue areas: access to palliative care and Medicaid coverage of tobacco cessation services.
The report found the state got poor marks in six other areas: increased access to care through Medicaid, balanced pain control policies, cigarette tax levels, smoke-free laws, funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, and restricting indoor tanning devices for people under 18.
The S.C. House passed a bill banning teens from commercial tanning beds earlier this year. It awaits a Senate vote in early 2020.
Tobacco also continues to be a concern in South Carolina, according to the report, which warned lawmakers not to weaken any policies, but strengthen laws against tobacco use.
In other news:
Sales tax holiday underway. Statehouse Report last week reported that 2019 could be the end of sales tax holidays in the state (the holiday began today and continues through Sunday, exempting specific items from the state’s 6-percent sales tax). The death of it could come from sales tax reform in 2020. House Speaker Pro Tempore Tommy Pope is a lead sponsor on the legislation. After the article came out, Pope told Statehouse Report: “If the legislation passes, every day will be a sales-tax holiday in South Carolina.” Instead of 6 percent sales tax on items with a whole list of exemptions, the bill seeks to remove all exemptions (and the sales-tax holiday) and have a statewide rate of 3 percent.
Rally against offshore drilling Aug. 5. A “Rally to Protect Our Coast” is planned 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 5 at Charleston Harbor Resort in Mount Pleasant. U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, a Democrat, and S.C. Sen. Chip Campsen, a Republican, will be speaking. Other state and local leaders also will be in attendance. More info.
Massive awareness campaign for census launched. Gov. Henry McMaster has created a massive committee to raise awareness about the 2020 census, according to an announcement he made this week. On Thursday, he stressed the importance of getting every South Carolinian counted. Read more.
Tell DOT about your transportation vision. The S.C. Department of Transportation is seeking public input for its 2040 vision plan. How would you spend transportation money? Better intersections? More bike lanes? Passenger rail? Take the survey.
State parks see consecutive, record-breaking year. The state’s 47 parks brought in more than $34 million during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The park system is working toward a goal of becoming financially self-sufficient. Read more.
House panel to look at state prisons. An ongoing House ad hoc committee will continue its review of the Department of Corrections at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 12 in room 110 of the Blatt building. The committee will review a study of the department. Read the agenda.
Senate panel to discuss school governance, accountability. A Senate Education subcommittee will meet 1 p.m. Aug. 14 rto discuss education accountability and governance as part of the education overhaul bill. Read the agenda.
2020 candidate calendar
Throughout the campaign season, we are working to keep South Carolina informed of candidate events in the state. Have an event you want us to know about? Email us at 2020news@statehousereport.com.
Ryan meets in Columbia. Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio will be at a meet and greet 5 p.m. Aug. 4 at the home of Don and Carol Fowler in Columbia. Attendees must pre-register. Learn more.
Booker returns to South Carolina in two-day sweep. Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey will be in South Carolina Aug. 5-6. The events include:
- Conversation with Cory, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at ILA Hall in Charleston;
- A meet and greet, 9:30 a.m. Aug. 6 at Bucksport Senior Center in Conway; and,
- Conversation with Cory, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Luther Carter Center for Health Sciences at Francis Marion University in Florence.
Looking ahead
Click below for other items coming up in the Statehouse:
Find any bill
- House bills
- Senate bills
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!