Staff reports | By the end of 2023, two-thirds of state parks will offer free electric vehicle charging stations, state officials announced Tuesday.
“EV is something that is just becoming widely popular across the country, so we’re harnessing that here,” Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette said Tuesday. “I think that is something that if you feel passionate about, then we want to make sure that technology and the growth of that industry happen right here in our state.”
In other news this week:
Leaked text shows Norman called for martial law in 2021 U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., is facing calls to resign following release of text messages calling for martial law after the Jan. 6 insurrection. The texts were to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Norman later blamed frustration for the text.
More money should be in your pocket next year. The state’s top income tax rate was reduced from 7% to 6.5% by legislators in 2022, according to the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The amount of change will depend on a number of factors for each individual, but many state workers should expect to see taxes go down.
DSS wants to rebuild nutrition program. The Department of Social Services wants to completely rebuild the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The department said the system is completely outdated and is asking lawmakers for $8.7 million in the next state budget to start rebuilding it.
Proposed bill could make S.C. residents pay $250 for drivers’ licenses. The proposed bill will allow counties to raise drivers’ license fees from $25 up to $250 for first-time applicants moving to the state.
S.C. closes out record year in economic development deals. South Carolina will close out the year with a total of $10.1 billion in capital investments. The combined projects would make a total of 13,000 new jobs in the state.
United to buy 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in deal worth billions. United Airlines this morning announced it would buy 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners — all of which are built in North Charleston — in a fleet modernization deal that will stretch to 2032. And to make the news even sweeter for thousands of local workers, United says it has options to buy 100 more of the jets. Here’s the magnitude of the transaction: The company will spend at least $20 billion over the next two years on part of the order for jets made locally.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!