Staff reports | The South Carolina House on Thursday voted 74-36 to give final approval to an education voucher bill that will clear the way for 15,000 students to be able to use public money for private school tuition.
Gov. Henry McMaster has said he will sign the bill, a funding policy Republicans have been trying to pass for two decades.
The measure allows parents and guardians to get up to $6,000 a year to pay for tuition, transportation, supplies or technology at public or private schools outside their district. According to the Associated Press, the measure will cost about $30 million next year and could get as expensive as $90 million a year.
In other recent headlines:
Final sentences issued in S.C. Statehouse ethics scandal cases. A South Carolina judge sentenced two former state lawmakers, bringing an end to an eight-year Statehouse corruption probe.
Bill on Sunday liquor sales fails to pass. An S.C. House subcommittee voted 2-1 to punt on a bill that would allow the state’s urban and tourism counties to hold referendums to legalize Sunday liquor sales.
McMaster nominates next director of state insurance department. McMaster nominated Michael Wise as the next director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
S.C. lawmakers vet candidates for Santee Cooper board seats. Legislators questioned candidates seeking to fill five of the 14 seats at the state-owned power and water utility. All but one candidate were nominated by Gov. Henry McMaster.
Berkeley County lawmaker wants tax cuts for country club members. A bill in the state Legislature proposed by Republican Rep. Mark Smith, R-Berkeley, would prohibit the state from levying the admissions tax on for-profit golf clubs’ membership dues.
Lucas honored with portrait in S.C. chamber. Former S.C. House Speaker Jay Lucas will watch over the South Carolina chamber with his official portrait being unveiled Tuesday.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!