Staff reports | State lawmakers got to work in their first week of the session on budgeting billions of extra tax and aid dollars.
Unlike most years in which legislators focus only on divvying up state revenues, this year they have two extra budgets to develop to spend $525 million from a settlement involving the Savannah River Site as well as $2.5 billion in federal pandemic aid. There’s also a surplus of more than $2 billion for the 2022-23 budget from extra past revenues and predicted growth.
On Tuesday, a Senate Finance subcommittee discussed how to use aid funds and is expected to continue work next week. The House Ways and Means Committee may take up the two extra budgets next week, too, on an ad hoc basis.
Meanwhile Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster unveiled his proposal of how he thinks South Carolina should spend billions of dollars in extra dollars in the 2022-23 budgeting cycle. The proposal included a mix of familiar calls for tax cuts, but also new proposals like bonuses for school bus drivers, cash to expand election audits and money to replace the state’s aging health lab. More: AP News.
In other recent news:
SC COVID cases up more than 750% in last two weeks. South Carolina has seen a meteoric rise in COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days, with average daily infections up 759% as the omicron variant continues to lead a record-breaking surge across the United States. Meanwhile on Thursday, South Carolina health officials reported 14,764 total cases of COVID-19, with 10,412 confirmed. A total of 32 new deaths, 14 confirmed, were also reported. With 66,680 tests reported Thursday, 26.9 percent were confirmed positive. Percentage of S.C. residents age 5-11 with at least one vaccine: 15.1 percent. Percentage of S.C. residents age 12+ with at least one vaccine: 65.9 percent. More: Charleston City Paper, The New York Times.
Former USC provost leading candidate to become school’s next president. Former University of South Carolina Provost Michael Amiridis is expected to become the school’s next president, according to media reports. More: The Daily Gamecock.
Latest school voucher push debated on state Senate panel. A Senate panel has begun debate on a new proposal looking to send South Carolina parents $7,000 yearly for private K-12 education. More: WCSC.
Longtime S.C. teachers’ advocate launches bid for state superintendent. Republican Kathy Maness, executive director of the Palmetto State Teachers Association and longtime advocate for S.C. teachers, is running to replace retiring state Superintendent Molly Spearman. More: The State.
Republicans liked anti-LGBTQ bill until they saw impact on unvaccinated. A bill aiming to protect doctors and other medical professionals from being fired, demoted or sued if they refuse to provide non-emergency services to which they morally object — and also allow for conversion therapy in the state — is now stalled over concerns it could backfire on COVID-mandate opponents who are not vaccinated.
S.C. House advances Republican-favoring congressional map. South Carolina’s First Congressional District is looking a little safer for Republican incumbent Rep. Nancy Mace after the House approved a version that would move the district from leaning Republican back into a Republican stronghold. More: Associated Press.
State saw 15% increase in human trafficking victims in 2021. S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson said more children were identified as victims of human trafficking in South Carolina in 2021 than ever before. There was a 15% increase in the number of victims reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Wilson said in a Monday news conference. Human trafficking in modern-day slavery, where the victim is forced to perform sex work or other work.
Governor nominates Columbia attorney to chair DHEC board. Gov. Henry McMaster nominated Friday Columbia-area attorney Robert Bolchoz to chair the state’s health board, succeeding outgoing chair Mark Elam. Bolchoz has practiced environmental law and has also supervised the Department of Health and Environmental Control’s legal counsel on some issues. His nomination must be confirmed by the state Senate. More: AP News.
Wintry weather ahead. Sunday likely will be a bleary day across the South as a winter storm dumps snow and ice across the region. In the Midlands, heavy ice is expected Sunday, while there’s already a winter storm watch in the Greenville area. South Carolina’s coast faces rain throughout the day.
Charleston racial conciliation commission passes 2nd reading, final vote delayed. Charleston City Council on Tuesday night voted 8-4 to advance a measure to create a standing Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission after hearing hours of comments from residents and among council members.
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