By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | State senators recalled and gave second reading Wednesday to a bill that would make it legal to carry a handgun, concealed or not, without a license in the state.
Senate Bill 139 received a tight 23-19 vote. The bill will likely be taken up among the first items in 2020. Thursday was the final day of the first year of the 2019-2020 session.
In other news this week:
Limiting gubernatorial powers. Some senators worked in the final two days of the legislative session to add an amendment to bills that would enact S. 1, a bill that says when the Senate is not in session, the governor can only make interim appointments for offices requiring Senate advice and consent. If the Senate does not confirm these interim appointments during the next regular legislative session, the governor could not make another interim appointment. All interim appointments would terminate when the General Assembly reconvened. The amendment was finally added to the state budget, and will likely be hashed out when a special session convenes May 20.
Education funding report released. South Carolina is spending $8,650 per student to provide basic education across school districts, according to a new report released this week by the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. The report, however, isn’t final. In an email to Statehouse Report, RFA Director Frank Rainwater said, “We need guidance from all stakeholders on key policy decisions that affect some of the assumptions in our model (e.g class size). We will be meeting with these stakeholders over the summer and plan to release an update in September.” The report attempted to identify student services and the estimated cost of those services, an approach different to the current practice of budgeting in the state, which is based on formulas. Read the report.
Classroom size amendment added to budget. An amendment that would reinstate the state’s class-room size mandates in kindergarten through eighth grade has been added to the state budget by the House. Whether the amendment stands will be decided in the May 20 special session.
Panthers get a break. The Senate passed $120 million in tax incentives to lure NFL team the Carolina Panthers South. The team is looking at locating its headquarters and practice field in York County. After weeks of being held up, the Senate voted 27-15 to pass the tax breaks. Next is House approval during a special session later this month and McMaster’s likely signature.
Physician assistants empowered. The Senate and House have voted to give physician assistants greater prescribing capability and to remove a provision that requires them to only operate within 60 miles of a doctor. Read more.
Looking ahead
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