Staff reports | State lawmakers may spend more than $200 million to help with vaccine distribution and build up vaccine distribution capacity in South Carolina, The State newspaper reported today.
According to a resolution being discussed by the House Ways and Means Committee, lawmakers would appropriate $108 million from the state’s Contingency Reserve Fund to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Medical University of South Carolina to expand statewide vaccination capacity quickly and continue to administer the state’s testing plan for COVID-19. The resolution calls for another $100 million to be placed in a vaccine reserve account to help pay for administration of the vaccine. Read the resolution.
In other recent news:
Abortion ban moves forward. South Carolina’s state senators are nearing floor debate on a bill that would ban almost all abortions in the state without exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. The Senate Medical Affairs Committee passed the bill by a 9-8 vote Thursday. Some Democrats believe the bill will pass. More: AP News
S.C.’s Harrison becomes DNC chair. The Democratic National Committee elected Jaime Harrison of South Carolina as chair Thursday, signifying early alignment between newly inaugurated President Joe Biden and party leaders. More: CNN.
Harriford, Rezaeerod join Biden administration. Columbia native Scott Harrifod is the new liaison between the Biden White House and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Charleston native Paniz Rezaeerod will serve as deputy director of congressional affairs for the U.S. Department of Interior. More: The Post and Courier.
Police outnumber demonstrators at S.C. Statehouse. Police officers and journalists outnumbered demonstrators Wednesday at the S.C. Statehouse, which was closed to the public because of security reasons amid the inauguration of President Joe Biden in Washington. About one dozen people for and against the new president stood on the sidewalk while more than 40 officers were present. More: AP News. Meanwhile, South Carolinians were in the spotlight during the inauguration, including U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., and Charleston band Ranky Tanky.
Divided S.C. Supreme Court rebukes corruption prosecutor. In a 3-2 ruling, S.C. Supreme Court justices threw out a misconduct in office conviction for former S.C. Rep. Jim Harrison Wednesday based on Solicitor David Pascoe overstepping his authority, but also upheld an 18-month prison sentence for Harrison based on a perjury charge that Harrison lied to the grand jury. More: The Post and Courier
S.C. state flag flap is no flop just yet. Historians will continue work after public outcry over the “Charlie Brown” Palmetto tree on a newly designed state flag. The hope is to have an official state flag — something that hasn’t been done in 81 years — by June. More: South Carolina Public Radio
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