By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | In an inaugural address laced with many sports metaphors, Gov. Henry McMaster pushed education to the top of his agenda while talking up the state’s economic development and ensuring environmental protections.
“My game plan for South Carolina requires changing our offensive plays on education. It means putting a strong defense on the field that tackles regulations, keeps high taxes off the field and protects our environment like it is the end zone,” McMaster said Wednesday on the Statehouse steps.
McMaster said three things create a well-educated South Carolina: strong family, job and education. He further pledged that “the words ‘Corridor of Shame’ will soon be a fading memory.”
In other news:
Senate elects first president. The S.C. Senate has a new presiding officer, the president of the Senate. Cherokee County Republican Sen. Harvey Peeler was elected as the Senate’s first president. Also this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee sent to the floor a bill that would restrict the governor’s ability to make appointments while the Senate is in recess.
S.C. relies, but not heavily, on federal funds. South Carolina’s federal aid represents 30.9 percent of its revenues, according to a new report from the Tax Foundation. The report lists South Carolina as the 33rd for its reliance on federal funds (with 50 being the least reliant; that was Virginia). The most reliant states included Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, and Kentucky. Read more here.
Senate not in session next week. The Senate won’t meet next week as a body. The Senate will continue to meet in committees, however. See the full calendar here.
Weekly update on Palmetto Priorities
Throughout the legislative session, we’ll provide you relevant updates related to our list of Palmetto Priorities, 10 big policy areas where major progress is needed for South Carolina to escape the bottom of lots of lists. Over the last week:
Gun reform. Several bills have been introduced in the House and Senate since session began this week. H. 3456(Hill) seeks passage of the S.C. Constitutional Carry Act to remove concealed weapons provisions from state law and to loosen restrictions on carrying weapons, with several provisions. S. 341 (Campsen) would require every clerk of court to report to state police within 10 days of disposition of each case in general sessions, and report within 48 hours the issuance of a restraining order or other order preventing the possession of a firearm. H. 3058 (Cobb-Hunter) would require a national, instant criminal background check prior to any transfer of firearms.
Poverty. H. 3461 (Robinson) was introduced in the House in an effort to create the Poverty Elimination Bank. The bill would create a system where voluntary contributions can be made by individuals via income tax returns.
Taxes. H. 3048 (S. Davis) would create an annual budget estimate that looks at cost savings and efficiency recommendations to the governor.
Health care. Introduced this week, H. 3037 (Garvin) is a resolution that would create a statewide referendum during the 2020 general election on whether the state should participate in Medicaid expansion. There is a similar bill in the Senate (S. 36). Two other bills seek to create Medicaid expansion in the state: H.3281 would create straight Medicaid expansion as allowed under the Affordable Care Act; and H.3292 would require the state expand coverage like Arkansas did, by paying premiums for the expansion population to buy coverage through the private insurance marketplace.
Other health-care related items this week included:
- 3020 (McCravy) seeks to enact the “South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat Protection from Abortion Act.”
- A study was released on the state’s effort to enact work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries. The study says up to 14,000 mothers could lose coverage under the proposed requirements. Read more here.
- In the Senate, a medical marijuana research resolution has advanced to Senate Medical Affairs committee. The resolution urges Congress to allow more medical research on cannabis.
Corrections. The Post and Courier reported that hundreds of millions in upgrades are needed to keep prison guards and inmates safe in state institutions. Read the report here.
Roads. The S.C. Department of Transportation launched its “Pothole Blitz” this week, asking people to report potholes around the state. Call 855-467-2368 to report potholes.
Politics. A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the House that would create an independent redistricting commission for the decennial census and the resulting redrawing of legislative districts (H. 3054). Also: H. 3039 (Henegan) would allow members of the House to face election every four years instead of every two years.
Looking ahead
Click below for other items coming up in the Statehouse:
- House calendar
- Senate calendar
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!