INSIDE ISSUE 19.14 | April 3, 2020
BIG STORY: Regrets? A few for lawmakers not seeking reelection
BIG LIST: 359 file for 170 state legislative seats
NEWS BRIEFS: Sanford says coronavirus relief bill is a bad idea
COMMENTARY, Brack: We’ll get through this, but it’s going to be hard
SPOTLIGHT: Charter Communications
MY TURN, Ulbrich and McCoy-Lawrence: Protect S.C. elections during the pandemic
FEEDBACK: Stay at home
MYSTERY PHOTO: Old bridge
Friends and readers,
This coronavirus crisis is dealing a blow to everyone. But South Carolinians will get through it, just like we get through hurricanes and other disasters.
We’re proud to offer Statehouse Report for free. For more than a dozen years, we’ve been the go-to place for insightful independent policy and political news and views in the Palmetto State. And we love it as much as you do.
But now, we can use your help. If you’ve been thinking of contributing to Statehouse Report over the years, now would be a great time to contribute as we deal with the crisis. In advance, thank you.
— Andy Brack, editor and publisher
Regrets? A few from lawmakers not seeking reelection
UPDATED 4/4/2020
By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | Be patient with the process, respect seniority and remember who you are serving. Those are some pieces of advice from state lawmakers not seeking reelection in 2020.
Ten members of the S.C. House of Representatives and four three members of the S.C. Senate did not file for reelection for their current seats.
House members not running for reelection:
- House District 3 (Pickens): Gary Clary-R
- House District 33 (Spartanburg): Eddie Tallon-R
- House District 34 (Spartanburg): Mike Forrester-R
- House District 88 (Lexington): Mac Toole-R
- House District 94 (Charleston, Dorchester): Con Chellis-R
- House District 99 (Berkeley, Charleston): Nancy Mace-R
- House District 109 (Charleston, Dorchester): David Mack-D
- House District 112 (Charleston): Mike Sottile-R
- House District 115 (Charleston): Peter McCoy-R
- House District 116 (Charleston, Colleton): Robert Brown-D
Senators not running for reelection:
- Senate District 16 (Lancaster): Greg Gregory-R
Senate District 24 (Aiken): Bruce Bannister-R**- Senate District 44 (Charleston, Berkeley): Paul Campbell-R
- Senate District 39 (Berkeley, Calhoun, Colleton, Dorchester, Orangeburg): John Matthews-D
Statehouse Report asked three questions to four legislative veterans this week. Here are their insights and counsel:
What are you most proud of during your time in Columbia?
Campbell: “Being able to help constituents and citizens throughout the state.” He cited 2011 surface-water permitting legislation, landing Boeing in South Carolina, and the motor fuel user fee in 2017. “We started giving DOT (the S.C. Department of Transportation) enough money to deal with roads and bridges in the state and to keep from killing people.”
Clary: “Removing the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds (in 2015).”
Gregory: “Opening South Carolina up to solar power … In 2014, we passed legislation that opened the state up to solar power” to have panels on rooftops and also the solar fields. “South Carolina since then has been one of the leaders in solar power and jobs.”
Mack: “When I was chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, we did a walkout (in 2019) in order to draw attention that we were not getting a significant number of African-American judges elected in the state and that began a discussion … and we’ve made some changes since then.” He also said changes made to the payday lending industry was among his proudest moments.
What were you unable to accomplish?
Gregory: “The most disappointing thing has been the inability to pass any legislation that improves gun safety. Mainly we’ve worked for three or four years now on trying to get a bill passed that would partially close the Charleston loophole.” Charleston Democratic Sen. Clementa Pinckney, who was gunned down in the 2015 white supremacist attack on a black church in Charleston, was a former deskmate of his. “I’ve been disappointed that the Senate has not been able to come together to pass common-sense legislation.”
Clary: “Ethics reform. I had a number of bills I introduced over the years from dark money from third party groups, more stringent reporting by members of the General Assembly … things like that.”
Mack: “Several things because I was part of the minority party. We are very outnumbered in the Democratic Party in the South Carolina State Legislature.” Mack said the 2012 decision to turn down Medicaid expansion is “especially glaring and troubling right now.”
Campbell: “You have to work together with your other senators … we were able to get a lot of things done. I never gave up on anything.”
What is your advice to your successor?
Mack: “Have a good set of beliefs and values. Your beliefs and values define who you are as relates to serving in any public office … The public has to identify folks that have those type qualities.”
Campbell: “Take care of the constituents and citizens of South Carolina. That’s what you’re up there for.” He also said to “always look for unintended consequences when you try to get something passed. He said he made “friends forever” during the “interesting ride.” “Go have some fun with, do some good and take care of the citizens of South Carolina.”
Clary: “Be patient with the process, and it doesn’t hurt to be patient with each other as well. The process is not geared for speed and the earlier you learn patience there, the more you understand.”
Gregory: “Listen more than you talk. The Senate is a body that runs on seniority and experience, and senators … that come in and try to change the state all at once and don’t listen to people who’ve been there a while, they usually end up as pariahs or one-term senators.”
CORRECTION: The original version of this story incorrectly stated that S.C. Rep. Bruce Bannister, R-Aiken, was not running for reelection for a Senate seat. The information has been updated. Bannister is running for reelection, unopposed, for his House seat.
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com
359 file for 170 state legislative seats
By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | The June primary and General Election remain in question as the S.C. Election Commission pushes for changes from lawmakers on how the state executes elections.
Director Marci Andino this week asked lawmakers to consider allowing no-excuse absentee voting, letting voters apply to vote absentee online, remove witness requirements on absentee ballots, allow first responders and voters with disabilities to use electronic ballot tools, expand early voting and create early voting centers and switching to a vote by mail system. Read more.
All seats in the House and Senate are up for election this year. Filing closed Monday, and 248 filed for the 124 House seats and 111 filed for the 46 Senate seats. Here is the information from the S.C. Election Commission:
House seats with no challengers to incumbents
Nearly 43 percent of House seats — 53 of 124 House seats — have no challengers this year. Thirty-seven are Republicans, 16 are Democrats.
- House District 1 (Oconee): Bill Whitmire-R
- House District 2 (Oconee): Bill Sandifer-R
- House District 4 (Pickens): David Hiott-R
- House District 6 (Anderson): Brian White-R
- House District 9 (Anderson): Anne Thayer-R
- House District 11 (Anderson): Craig Gagnon-R
- House District 14 (Greenwood, Laurens): Stewart O. Jones-R
- House District 16 (Greenville, Laurens): Mark N. Willis-R
- House District 17 (Greenville): Mike Burns-R
- House District 21 (Greenville): Bobby Cox-R
- House District 23 (Greenville): Chandra Dillard-D
- House District 24 (Greenville): Bruce W. Bannister-R
- House District 27 (Greenville): Garry Smith-R
- House District 29 (Cherokee, Chester, York): Dennis Moss-R
- House District 30 (Cherokee, York): Steve Moss-R
- House District 31 (Spartanburg): Rosalyn Henderson-Myers-D
- House District 32 (Spartanburg): Max Hyde-R
- House District 36 (Greenville, Spartanburg): Rita Allison-R
- House District 37 (Spartanburg): Stephen W. Long-R
- House District 38 (Spartanburg): Josiah Magnuson-R
- House District 39 (Lexington, Saluda): Cal Forrest-R
- House District 40 (Newberry): Rick Martin-R
- House District 46 (York): Gary Simrill-R
- House District 50 (Kershaw, Lee, Sumter): Will Wheeler-D
- House District 51 (Sumter): David Weeks-D
- House District 53 (Chesterfield, Lancaster): Richie Yow-R
- House District 55 (Darlington, Dillon, Horry, Marlboro): Jackie E. Hayes-D
- House District 58 (Horry): Jeff Johnson-R
- House District 59 (Darlington, Florence): Terry Alexander-D
- House District 61 (Florence, Marion): Roger Kirby-D
- House District 62 (Darlington, Florence): Robert Williams-D
- House District 65 (Chesterfield, Darlington, Kershaw, Lancaster): Jay Lucas-R
- House District 67 (Sumter): Murrell Smith-R
- House District 69 (Lexington): Chris Wooten-R
- House District 70 (Richland, Sumter): Wendy C. Brawley-D
- House District 72 (Richland): Seth Rose-D
- House District 82 (Aiken, Edgefield, Saluda): Bill Clyburn-D
- House District 84 (Aiken): Melissa Oremus-R
- House District 85 (Lexington): Chip Huggins-R
- House District 86 (Aiken): Bill Taylor-R
- House District 87 (Lexington): Paula Rawl Calhoon-R
- House District 89 (Lexington): Micah Caskey-R
- House District 91 (Allendale, Barnwell, Orangeburg): Lonnie Hosey-D
- House District 92 (Berkeley): Joe Daning-R
- House District 93 (Calhoun, Lexington, Orangeburg): Russell L. Ott-D
- House District 98 (Dorchester): Chris Murphy-R
- House District 101 (Clarendon, Williamsburg): Cezar McKnight-D
- House District 102 (Berkeley, Dorchester): Joe H. Jefferson-D
- House District 103 (Georgetown, Horry, Williamsburg): Carl L. Anderson-D
- House District 104 (Horry): William Bailey-R
- House District 106 (Horry): Russell Fry-R
- House District 108 (Charleston, Georgetown): Lee Hewitt-R
- House District 120 (Beaufort, Jasper): Weston Newton-R
House races with primary challenge (* means incumbent)
Twelve House seats will see a primary challenge only.
- House District 5 (Pickens): Republican primary with Allan Quinn, David Cox, and Neal Collins*
- House District 10 (Anderson, Greenville, Pickens): Republican primary with West Cox* and Mark Durham
- House District 42 (Laurens, Union): Republican primary with Doug Gilliam* and Melinda Inman Butler
- House District 57 (Dillon, Horry, Marion): Democratic primary with Lucas Atkinson* and Miko Pickett
- House District 76 (Richland): Democratic primary with Leon Howard* and Bridget Deline
- House District 81 (Aiken): Republican primary with Robert Williams and Bart T. Blackwell*
- House District 88 (Lexington): Republican primary with Eddie McCain, Mike Sturkie, Brian Duncan, John Lastinger and RJ May
- House District 96 (Lexington): Republican primary with Kit Spires and D. Ryan McCabe
- House District 100 (Berkeley, Dorchester): Republican primary with Tom Fernandez and Sylleste Davis*
- House District 105 (Horry): Republican primary with Kevin Hardee* and Steve Robertson
- House District 107 (Horry): Republican primary with Alan Clemmons* and Case Brittain
- House District 113 (Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester): Democratic primary with Marvin Pendarvis and Raneisha Holmes
House races with a general election challenge
Thirty-three House seats will have a general election challenge only.
- House District 7 (Abbeville, Anderson): Jay West*-R and Andrea Bejarano-Robinson-D
- House District 12 (Greenwood, McCormick): Anne Parks*-D, James Pearman-R and Robbie Bryant-Green
- House District 13 (Greenwood): John McCravy*-R and Denise Waldrep-D
- House District 15 (Berkeley, Charleston): JA Moore*-D and Samuel Rivers Jr.-R
- House District 19 (Greenville): Patrick Haddon*-R and Jevarus Howard-D
- House District 20 (Greenville): Adam Morgan*-R and Stephen Dreyfus-D
- House District 22 (Greenville): Jason Elliott*-R and BK Brown-D
- House District 26 (York): Raye Felder*-R and Monica Danneman-D
- House District 28 (Greenville): Ashley Trantham*-R and Ty Washington-D
- House District 34 (Spartanburg): Roger A. Nutt-R and Kristy Schenkel-Constitution
- House District 43 (Chester, York): Randy Ligon*-R and Reid Carrico-D
- House District 44 (Lancaster): Mandy Powers Norrell*-D and Sandy McGarry-R
- House District 45 (Lancaster, York): Brandon Newtown*-R and Keith T. Grey Sr.-D
- House District 47 (York): Ryan McKenzie-D and Tommy Pope*-R
- House District 48 (York): Bruce Bryant*-R and Kathryn Roberts-D
- House District 49 (York): John R. King*-D and Johnny Walker-R
- House District 54 (Chesterfield, Darlington, Marlboro): Patricia Moore Henegan*-D and Sterling McDiarmid-R
- House District 56 (Horry): Tim McGinnis*-R and Bruce Fischer-D
- House District 63 (Florence): Jay Jordan*-R and Isaac Wilson-D
- House District 66 (Orangeburg): Gilda Cobb-Hunter*-D and Jeffrey Cila-R
- House District 71 (Lexington, Richland): Nathan Ballentine*-R, Lawrence Lee-Libertarian and Terry T. Seawright-D
- House District 73 (Richland): Chris Hart*-D and Myron Samuels-R
- House District 74 (Richland): Todd Rutherford*-D and Vimalkumar Jariwala-R
- House District 77 (Richland): Kambrell Garvin*-D and Justin Bishop-Libertarian
- House District 78 (Richland): Beth Bernstein*-D and Viresh Sinha-R
- House District 79 (Richland): Ivory Thigpen*-D and Victor Kocher-Libertarian
- House District 83 (Aiken, Edgefield): Bill Hixon*-R and Evelyn T. Robinson-D
- House District 97 (Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester): Mandy W. Kimmons*-R and Ronee De Canio-D
- House District 114 (Charleston, Dorchester): Ed Sutton-D, Brad Jayne-Alliance and Lin Bennett*-R
- House District 119 (Charleston): Leon Stavrinakis*-D and Alex Thornton-Libertarian
- House District 121 (Beaufort, Colleton): Michael F. Rivers Sr.*-D and Eric Erickson-R
- House District 122 (Beaufort, Hampton, Jasper): Shedron Williams*-D and Ashley Lawton-R
- House District 124 (Beaufort): Barb Nash-D and Shannon Erickson*-R
House seats facing primary and general election challenges
Twenty-six House seats will see primary and general election opponents. Eight of those races have no incumbent.
- House District 3 (Pickens): Phillip Bowers-R, Jerry Carter-R, Eunice Lehmacher-D, William Masters-R
- House District 8 (Anderson): Jonathon Hill*-R, Jackie Todd-Alliance, Vaughn Parfitt-R, Mike Holden-R
- House District 18 (Greenville): Tommy Stringer*-R, Benjamin Smith-D, Sam Manley-R
- House District 25 (Greenville): Leola Simpson*-D, Bruce Wilson-D, Tony Boyce-Independence, Darath Mackie-R, Adriene Atkinson-D
- House District 33 (Spartanburg): Jarred Spencer-R, Travis Moore-R, Thomas J. Riddle-Constitution
- House District 35 (Greenville, Spartanburg): Chris Bennett-R, Bill Chumley*-R, Garey Collins-R, Helen Pendarvis-D
- House District 41 (Chester, Fairfield, Richland): Annie E. McDaniel*-D, Jennifer Brecheisen-R, Charlene Herring-D
- House District 52 (Kershaw): Penry Gustafson-R, Vic Dabney-R, Laurie Slade Funderburk*-D
- House District 60 (Darlington, Florence): Phillip Lowe*-R, Teresa McGill-D, Lasha McClain-D
- House District 64 (Clarendon, Sumter): Hal Cercopely-R, Robert A. McFadden Sr.-D, Jack Furse-D, Kimberley O. Johnson-D, Cindy Risher-R
- House District 68 (Horry): Heather Ammons Crawford*-R, Larry Guy Hammond-Libertarian, Mark Epps-R, Mike Childs-Alliance
- House District 75 (Richland): Rhodes Bailey-D, Kirkman Finlay*-R, Heather Bauer-D
- House District 80 (Kershaw, Richland): Jimmy Bales*-D, Jermaine Johnson-D, Vincent Wilson-R
- House District 90 (Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton): Justin Bamberg*-D, Evert Comer Jr.-D, Glenn Posey-R
- House District 94 (Charleston, Dorchester): Gil Catch-R, Evan Guthrie-R, Patricia Cannon-D, Damian Daly-D
- House District 95 (Orangeburg): Jerry Govan*-D, Willie M. Legette-Labor, Kevin Ray-D
- House District 99 (Berkeley, Charleston): David Herndon-R, Mark Smith-R, Shawn Pinkston-R, Donna Brown-D, Jen Gibson-D, Chris Staubes-R
- House District 109 (Charleston, Dorchester): Jeff Wilder-D, James Johnson-D, Deon Tedder-D, Rodney Travis-Libertarian
- House District 110 (Charleston): William Cogswell*-R, Rebecca Niess Cingolani-D, Lelia Slater-D, Rouzy Vafaie-R
- House District 111 (Charleston): Wendell Gilliard*-D, Regina Duggins-D, Ted Vining-R
- House District 112 (Charleston): Joe Bustos-R, Ryan Buckhannon-R, David Quick-D, Cheryl McMurry-D, Daniel Brownstein-D
- House District 115 (Charleston): Eileen Dougherty-D, Carol Tempel-D, Spencer Wetmore-D, Kathleen Wilson-R, Josh Stokes-R
- House District 116 (Charleston, Colleton): Carroll O’Neal-R, Chardale Murray-D, John R. Prioleau Sr.-D, Charles A. Glover Sr.-D, Millicent Traeye Middleton-D
- House District 117 (Berkeley, Charleston): Bill Crosby-R, Jordan Pace-R, Krystle Matthews*-D
- House District 118 (Beaufort, Jasper): Mitchell Siegel-D, Bill Herbkersman*-R, Michael E. Covert-R
- House District 123 (Beaufort): Jeff Bradley*-R, Christine deVries-D, Phil W. Hartman-R
Senate seats with no challengers to incumbents
Ten seats in the Senate have no challengers for incumbents seeking reelection. That accounts for nearly 22 percent of seats.
- Senate District 1 (Oconee, Pickens): Thomas C. Alexander*-R
- Senate District 2 (Pickens): Rex Rice*-R
- Senate District 9 (Greenville, Laurens): Danny Verdin*-R
- Senate District 13 (Greenville, Spartanburg, Union): Shane Martin*-R
- Senate District 19 (Richland): John L. Scott Jr.*-D
- Senate District 21 (Richland): Darrell Jackson*-D
- Senate District 28 (Dillon, Horry, Marion): Greg Hembree*-R
- Senate District 31 (Darlington, Florence): Hugh Leatherman*-R
- Senate District 35 (Kershaw, Lee, Richland, Sumter): Thomas McElveen*-D
- Senate District 42 (Charleston, Dorchester): Marlon Kimpson*-D
Senate races with primary challenge
Four Senate seats will see a primary challenge only.
- Senate District 8 (Greenville): Republican primary with Ross Turner*, Janice Curtis
- Senate District 30 (Dillon, Florence, Horry, Marion, Marlboro): Democratic primary with Kent Williams*, Patrick Richardson
- Senate District 33 (Horry): Repblican primary with John Gallman, Luke A. Rankin*, Carter Smith
- Senate District 40 (Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton, Orangeburg): Democratic primary with Brad Hutto*, Michael Addison
Senate races with a general election challenge
Fourteen Senate seats will have a general election only.
- Senate District 4 (Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood): Mike Gambrell*-R, Jose Villa-D
- Senate District 6 (Greenville): Dwight Loftis*-R, Hao Wu-D
- Senate District 11 (Spartanburg): Josh Kimbrell-R, Glenn Reese*-D
- Senate District 14 (Cherokee, Spartanburg, Union, York): Harvey Peeler*-R, Sarah Work-Alliance
- Senate District 15 (York): Wes Climer*-R, Vickie Holt-D
- Senate District 23 (Lexington): Katrina Shealy*-R, Bill Brown-D
- Senate District 24 (Aiken): Tom Young*-R, Lisa T. Williams-D
- Senate District 27 (Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster): Vincent Sheheen*-D, Penry Gustafson-R
- Senate District 34 (Charleston, Georgetown, Horry): Stephen Goldfinch*-R, Emily Cegledy-D
- Senate District 37 (Berkeley, Charleston): Larry Grooms*-R, Kathryn B. Whitaker-D, Steve French-Libertarian
- Senate District 38 (Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester): Sean Bennett*-R, John Lowe-D
- Senate District 43 (Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton): Richard Hricik-D, Chip Campsen*-R
- Senate District 45 (Allendale, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper): Margie Bright Matthews*-D, Rodney Buncum-R
- Senate District 46 (Beaufort, Jasper): Tom Davis*-R, Nathan Campbell-D
Senate seats facing primary and general election challenges
Eighteen Senate seats face both a primary and a general election challenge. Of those, all four open seats are challenged.
- Senate District 3 (Anderson): Chris Wooten-R, Richard Cash*-R, Judith Polson-D
- Senate District 5 (Greenville, Spartanburg): Tom Corbin*-R, Michael McCord-D, Dave Edwards-R
- Senate District 7 (Greenville): Karl B. Allen*-D, Fletcher Smith-D, Jack Logan-R
- Senate District 10 (Abbeville, Greenwood, McCormick, Saluda): Floyd Nicholson*-D, Bryan Hope-R, Billy Garrett-R
- Senate District 12 (Greenville, Spartanburg): Scott Talley*-R, Mark Lynch-R, Dawn Bingham-D
- Senate District 16 (Lancaster, York): Michael Johnson-R, Mike Neese-R, Kristen Blanchard-R, Tom Nichols-R, Ram Mammadov-D
- Senate District 17 (Chester, Fairfield, York): Mike Fanning*-D, Erin Mosley-R, MaryGail Douglas-D
- Senate District 18 (Lexington, Newberry, Union): Charles Bumgarner-R, Ronnie Cromer*-R, Christopher Thibault-D
- Senate District 20 (Lexington, Richland): Dick Harpootlian*-D, Randy Dickey-R, Moe Baddourah-R, Benjamin Dunn-R
- Senate District 22 (Kershaw, Richland): Mia McLeod*-D, Michael Letts-R, Lee Blatt-R
- Senate District 25 (Aiken, Edgefield, Lexington, McCormick, Saluda): Shane Massey*-R, Susan J. Swanson-R, Shirley A. Green-D
- Senate District 26 (Aiken, Calhoun, Lexington, Saluda): Nikki Setzler*-D, Perry Finch-R, Chris Smith-R
- Senate District 29 (Chesterfield, Darlington, Lee, Marlboro): Gerald Malloy*-D, JD Chaplin-R, Ronald Reese Page-R
- Senate District 32 (Berkeley, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Williamsburg): Ronnie A. Sabb*-D, Manley Marvell Collins-D, Kelly Spann-D, Ted Brown-D, David Ellison-R
- Senate District 36 (Clarendon, Darlington, Florence, Sumter): Kevin L. Johnson*-D, Leon Winn-R, Eleazer Carter-D
- Senate District 39 (Berkeley, Calhoun, Colleton, Dorchester, Orangeburg): Vernon Stephens-D, William R. Johnson-D, Jerry Montgomery-D, Tom Connor-R, Cindy Evans-D
- Senate District 41 (Charleston, Dorchester): Sam Skardon-D, Sandy Senn*-R, Jason Mills-D
- Senate District 44 (Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester): Brian Adams-R, Gayla McSwain-R, Kris DeLorme-D, Debbie Chatman Bryant-D
Sanford says coronavirus relief bill is a bad idea
Editor’s Note: The first report is republished from our sister publication, the Charleston City Paper.
By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | After ending a quixotic Republican challenge to President Donald Trump, former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford retreated to what he calls “the Farm,” family property at Coosaw Plantation an hour south of Charleston. Describing himself as “random ex-governor trying to figure out what he’s going to do next,” Sanford has mostly kept to himself during the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the state and nation
But the former governor and unapologetic libertarian still has thoughts — a lot of them — on the federal government’s ever-growing debt, especially with the recently approved $2.2 trillion aid and stimulus package. Those $1,200 checks for taxpayers are “nonsensical and dangerous in economic terms,” in Sanford’s estimation.
“These are non-offset funds, which means we are going straight to the Chinese and other lenders around the world or to ourselves and borrowing the money,” he said. “You’re putting in the one pocket and taking out the other … We’re digging some mighty, mighty holes.”
As governor, Sanford tried to reject the 2009 federal stimulus, passed in response to the Great Recession. A short battle ensued, leading to the state Supreme Court making a ruling and releasing the money. (A headline from the time said Sanford got “trumped.”)
For a few months in 2019, Sanford sought to create a national dialogue on fiscal responsibility mounting a GOP presidential primary challenge. He gained little traction before ending “the presidential thing.” Trumped again.
In the current crisis, Sanford said the federal government should be doing what families in the Lowcountry are doing right now: prioritize spending. He said sending people a check that accounts for a small percentage of their personal income in a time when evictions and foreclosures are halted will likely just lead to folks hoarding cash, not spending in stores that may not even be open.
“People are not going to go on a spending binge on this when they are fearing what is going to happen next,” he said.
Unlike the 2009 stimulus, which was doled out through states, this year’s disbursements will be sent directly from the federal government. Meaning, there’s no way for any Sanford-esque governors to turn down the aid dollars.
House, Senate to convene April 8; a look at 2020 elections
The S.C. House of Representatives and S.C. Senate will meet April 8 after the coronavirus pandemic interrupted the session.
Members will vote on a continuing resolution that will allow state government to operate as-is into the 2020-2021 budget that begins July 1. In other words, they’ll use this year’s budget for next year. And in case they want to change something, they will also vote on a sine die resolution, which will allow them to take up items after the scheduled end of session in May.
On April 9, the state’s revenue forecasters will convene on a conference call to talk about the coronavirus pandemic’s impact to the state budget. For more information, click here. That page will be updated the day before or day of the meeting for the call-in number.
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com
BRACK: We’ll get through this, but it’s going to be hard
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | We’ll get through this coronavirus crisis. But, Lord have mercy, it’s going to be fraught with pain, suffering, fear and sadness.
Too many people are going to die as our unprepared nation grapples with a microbial invader that is devastating lives, jobs, routines and the stability of our social, political and economic institutions.
Doctors, nurses and health care workers are understandably frightened, worried they’ll bring the virus from soon-to-be-overloaded hospitals into their homes.
“In general, people are scared,” one Charleston doctor said. “We don’t know enough about it. People are working their butts off planning and trying to be ready, doing everything ready to be ready.
“People are working really, really hard, but people are afraid and they worry about their family, worry about their kids (and worry about) infecting other patients while trying to do the right thing.”
But there’s also a whole lot of hope, dedication and commitment by medical professionals grappling with the enormity of what’s ahead for South Carolina, where 8,000 cases are expected in a month. As of Thursday, more than 1,500 South Carolinians tested positive for the disease; 31 have died.
Another Charleston doctor said he was amazed at the “incredible sense of commitment to the patients and their institutions” by doctors, nurses and staff that are putting in long hours to help patients and battle the disease.
“I’m not sugar-coating,” the doctor said. “When we Americans have a disaster, sometimes it gets the best of us and the worst of us. This time for health care workers, there is a sense of duty which is getting the best of us. People are volunteering. It’s pretty amazing.”
That sense of duty, commitment and responsibility as medical workers put themselves at risk seeps throughout a new pandemic edition of The Nocturnists, 4-year-old podcast that shares medical stories.
Host Emily Silverman, an internal medical physician in San Francisco, introduces seven stories from health care workers across the country.
“The truth is, on a good day, working in medicine is hard, and there’s a lot of burnout and a lot of depression,” she said. “What’s happened to health care workers in the last few weeks is unprecedented in our lifetime. The virus is spreading. There’s a shortage of testing. There’s a shortage of PPE and this is forcing health care workers to face impossible choices.
“We’re putting ourselves in harm’s way. We’re risking our families. We’re asking ourselves, ‘Is this what we signed up for? Going to work without appropriate protective gear? Having to choose between who lives and dies due to a scarcity of resources?’”
The virus is also unweaving the fabric of communities, particularly in poorer areas, notes state Rep. Marvin Pendarvis, D-North Charleston.
“People are being put out of temporary housing like motels, hotels and extended stays. I speak to people who are living out of their cars and are relying on nonprofit food distribution sites for nutrition. Sadly, this virus has forced us to a point where issues like housing and food, issues we’ve long neglected, are rearing their ugly heads and manifesting itself in a way we cannot ignore.”
Communities like Camden, a viral hot spot, are learning to deal with each other in new ways as high school seniors forgo proms and community grieving customs surrounding funerals have changed.
“We would like to be together in times of grief and celebration but aren’t able to in our familiar ways,” said state Rep. Laurie Funderburk, D-Camden. “We are learning to be digitally connected because we know we have to stay separate for the good of the community.”
In Bluffton, GOP state Rep. Bill Herbkersman says he witnesses periodic panic among his constituents, but what has impressed him more than anything is how regular people are trying to help, just as the doctors, nurses and hospital workers are.
“Our community is a community of volunteers and that has not changed, even during this crisis,” he said. “I think this simply shows the good in people in trying times.”
Let’s remain safe. Let’s stay at home a little longer. And let’s thank goodness for everyone working to help their friends and neighbors.
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com.
Charter Communications
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“We, at our core, are a service organization,” President and CEO Tom Rutledge says. “And every product we sell has a huge service component.”
- To learn more, visit Charter’s South Carolina services online.
Protect S.C. elections during the pandemic
By Holly Ulbrich and Christe McCoy-Lawrence, special to Statehouse Report | COVID-19 has altered our lives in many ways and it is certain to affect how we vote.
Protecting the right to vote is always essential but is even more crucial than ever in times of crisis like that we now face. The League believes we must have creative thinking to ensure safe and efficient elections.
We have been encouraged by reports that the State Election Commission, the General Assembly’s leadership and the Governor’s Office are discussing ways to protect the public during our coming elections. Those efforts must continue and result in positive changes for coming elections.
Experts have made it clear that there will be a continuing danger from COVID-19 until a vaccine is available, probably no earlier than next January. This is a serious concern because polling places bring significant numbers of people together in confined spaces. The only rational response from government is to take practical measures to ensure that 2020 elections are accessible and safe for voters.
Fortunately, South Carolina already enjoys online voter registration, which is a crucial contributor to safe participation in elections. But there are other important problems to address. It has been reported that postponement of the June primaries is under consideration. While rescheduling primaries may be needed to give breathing room to plan for elections scheduled for the next several months, that is not a sufficient response to the challenges before us. We need election solutions that will help us to continue the orderly and safe practice of participating in our democracy in the primaries and to hold the November general election safely, efficiently and as currently scheduled.
Effective solutions must avoid compelling citizens to assemble together in crowded spaces. The League of Women Voters of the United States, along with many other organizations, supports achieving this through the universal availability of voting by mail. However, states that have adopted universal mail-in voting have done so with years of preparation and at considerable initial cost. Gearing up for this in South Carolina for 2020 elections could be very challenging for both state and local election officials. Achievable options exist, however, that would expand in-person and by-mail absentee voting and could significantly increase the safety and efficiency of conducting elections during this pandemic.
Whatever broad framework is adopted for 2020 elections, there are several very specific concerns that require solutions. The first is the time allowed to count the votes. Some increase in absentee voting was already expected in 2020. It is now likely that many more eligible citizens than ever before will choose to avoid crowds by employing existing excused absentee criteria to vote early by mail or in person.
A further expansion of absentee voting could add to that volume. Unfortunately, currently state law requires counting all absentee votes on election day. This would put great stress on election offices responsible for scanning tens of thousands of absentee ballots. It is imperative that the General Assembly pass S.867, a bill already approved by the Senate, to allow the scanning process to begin the day before election day for all elections. An amendment is needed to provide even more time to count the very heavy absentee vote that can be expected in November 2020.
Another concern is the time allowed before certifying elections. South Carolina law currently requires certification within three days of an election, a very short interval even under ordinary circumstances. Extending this to as much as 30 days would be appropriate and would allow the State Election Commission and others to conduct their audits under less pressure. Other states allow up to 30 days for this process.
It is very important that our state and local officials are considering measures to improve the safety and efficiency of elections in this difficult time. Those discussions must lead to significant results, which will require legislative action and the support of the governor. All citizens should encourage those efforts and become educated about voting options. In a time of crisis, it is more important than ever for the voices of citizens to be heard in the most effective way open to us – our votes.
Holley Ulbrich of Clemson and Christe McCoy-Lawrence of Holly Hill are co-presidents of the League of Women Voters of South Carolina.
Stay at home
To the editor
I agree with you 100 percent on Stay At Home orders. This is insane.
— Name withheld upon request, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
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