Staff reports | S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster this week proposed millions of dollars of spending in his State of the State address to deal with lagging and critical South Carolina issues.
The General Assembly came into session this week with a $1.2 billion surplus from the past two years, largely because it didn’t approve a FY 2020 budget because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That allowed reserves to grow so the state is strong financially now, compared to neighboring states.
“That’s because we were thinking ahead,” the governor told a joint session of the legislature. “Now we must continue to think ahead.”
In his Wednesday address, McMaster outlined several recommendations to state lawmakers:
- Rainy day. $500 million added to a $616 million reserve fund to “be prepared for any future economic uncertainties, should they arise.”
- Small business. $123 million in state funds for small business grants due to the economic climate.
- Kindergarten. $48 million to expand access to all-day kindergarten for every lower-income student in the state.
- Classrooms. $35 million to fund classroom improvements.
- Charter schools. $25 million more for public charter schools.
- Broadband. $30 million to expand broadband access.
- College. $80 million for state financial aid for qualified college students.
- Training. $60 million for skills training for high-demand
In other recent news:
Biden taps Harrison to lead national Democratic Party. President-elect Joe Biden picked South Carolina’s Jaime Harrison to lead the Democratic National Committee just two months after he lost a high-profile U.S. Senate election that catapulted him onto the national scene. More: The New York Times.
S.C. Legislature to take days off amid pandemic, security fears. The S.C. House and S.C. Senate will take off next week, including Wednesday’s inauguration day after the FBI warned state governments of planned protests. The Senate will next meet Jan. 21, with the House’s next full session set for five days later. More: AP News
S.C. lawmakers unveil bills to tackle race issues. Members of the South Carolina House of Representatives Equitable Justice System and Law Enforcement Reform Committee introduced four bills Tuesday on the first day of the 124th session of the S.C. General Assembly. The committee was formed during calls for social justice in the summer of 2020. More: Florence Morning News
S.C.’s Haley sets sights on 2024 presidential. Former S.C. Gov. and Trump administration official Nikki Haley has started a political action committee in an attempt to help Republicans retake the House and Senate in 2022, and bolster her brand ahead of an anticipated 2024 run for president. More: The Post and Courier
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We Can Do Better, South Carolina!