Staff reports | Gov. Henry McMaster told legislators Wednesday the state’s booming economy, billions of extra state revenue and federal aid money will allow South Carolina to make bold steps toward transformation, especially when it comes to infrastructure.
In his fifth State of the State address (see full text), McMaster pushed for more investment in mental health, education spending reform and tax cuts. He also talked about pay raises for law enforcement officers and first responders as well as lowering student-to-teacher ratios in classrooms. In outlining his spending priorities, McMaster also took shots at Democratic President Joe Biden on vaccine mandates and Medicaid work requirements.
In the Democratic rebuttal, state Rep. Spencer Wetmore, D-Charleston, called on legislators to curb political extremism and focus more on bipartisanship (see full text).
“It’s time to stop focusing only on the next election and instead focus on getting things done for this state and for the people who live here,” said Wetmore, former administrator for Folly Beach.
In other recent news:
Coronavirus cases keep breaking records. South Carolina’s COVID-19 numbers continue to climb as the state set another daily case record over the holiday weekend for the sixth time in less than three weeks. According to The State newspaper, “The state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported more than 20,000 new cases on Sunday, beating the record previously set on Friday. With the 68,597 cases added over the four long-weekend days pushed the weekly total to more than 113,300 cases, which also shattered the previous weekly record.” Click here for the most recent numbers.
State high court chief flip flops on lawyer-legislature order. S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty issued a ruling this month that rolled back a protection that barred lawyers who also serve as state legislators from being compelled to appear in court while the General Assembly is in session. The move earned him praise from prosecutors and victims’ advocates. But the next day, he quietly backtracked.
S.C. Senate to consider ban on drivers holding phones. A bill requiring anyone using a cellphone while driving to use hands-free features is heading for debate on the Senate floor, after the proposal passed a committee Wednesday.
Ex-provost Amiridis is new USC leader after long, tough search. The University of South Carolina on Friday named former professor and provost Michael Amiridis as its new president, turning toward a familiar person to end another problematic search for the school’s next leader.
Peeler in control of state spending in year with record funds. The senator newly holding South Carolina’s purse strings in a year the legislature has unprecedented amounts of cash is known by his colleagues as a frank-talking, hard-working leader who’s been preparing for the role for decades. This story also looked at Peeler’s new role.
North Charleston’s Scott releases memoir. Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina — one of only three Black senators — is one in a field of candidates seen as a potential foil to President Joe Biden in 2024. Now, he’s released a new memoir entitled, America. The release comes on the heels of his recent talks on the floor, challenging Democrats over voting rights and their rhetoric of a new “Jim Crow.” Scott also is releasing a video series on issues he sees as pertinent to the Black community. More: AP News
Former House member among candidates considered for judgeship. Former state Rep. Alan Clemmons is among the top three candidates eyeing an appointment for a Master-in-Equity judicial seat in Horry County.
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