By Linda Hardman
DWGC, Legislative Chair

The South Carolina Legislature got off to a speedy start last week, focused on what they say is fixing problems with planned action to find yet another way to divert public money to private and religious school, some adjustments to the abortion bills (to allow IVF and chemical abortions), and fomenting some action on utility capacity and regulation, a matter we’re told is vitally important to business interests throughout the state.  

Legislative Chair Linda Hardman begins the discussion as the lawmakers did on opening day, with some new thoughts on the ways in which the state might support private schools without violating the SC Constitution. Read her column.

Last fall, the state Supreme Court ruled against the school voucher program, citing the South Carolina Constitution, which states that public money cannot be used to fund private schools. This was a blow to Republicans who were working to shore up private schools with public funds. Both houses will be working diligently to get the voucher program passed muster with the Supreme Court. Currently, they are targeting funds from the educational lottery. Bill S.62 would open the lottery to include 10,000 poverty-level students. The poverty level, in this case, ranges from $120,000 to $187,000.

The Senate introduced the bill on the first day of the session and referred it to the Senate Education Committee where it was polled out and passed by the Senate 37-2. A January 12 report in the Post and Courier indicates there is doubt that the proceeds of the lottery could support the vouchers and its other commitments. 

At the time of the court’s decision, students were already enrolled in the voucher program and had begun classes. A wealthy donor and longtime school choice proponent from Pennsylvania paid the tuition through the first semester. It was the same benefactor who poured megabucks towards electing Ellen Weaver, South Carolina’s ultraconservative State Superintendent of Education.

The House’s response to the Supreme Court ruling a proposal to eliminate the state constitutional amendment which prohibits direct financial aid to private educational entities. The bill has gone to the Judiciary Committee for discussion. 

Other education-centered bills will include H.3185, The Transparency and Integrity Act, which restricts what teachers can teach in the classrooms, as well as what instructional materials can be used. The Freedom Caucus, the thorn in the side of the Republican Caucus, has pre-filed bills that require the Ten Commandments be displayed in every classroom (H. 3217), placing a chaplain in all schools, both public and private (S.122), and requiring the Bible to be taught in history and ELA classes (S.134). Lawmakers do plan to raise the minimum teacher salary $43,233 to $47,000, with the stated goal of eventually getting our scale to the national average which is currently $50,000. (S.58)

Republicans hold a super majority in both chambers and control all statewide elected offices and the governorship. Out of 124 House members, only 36 seats are held by Democrats. In the Senate, there are only 12 Democratic senators and 34 Republicans.

Last year, all five female state senators from South Carolina won the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award for their bipartisan efforts to block a near-total abortion ban in South Carolina. In June of this year, all three of the Republican female senators lost in the primary election, leaving only two Democratic female senators, the lowest female representation in the nation — a mere 4% of the body.

Although a fetal heartbeat abortion ban was passed last year, a new bill, (H.3457) has been filed that will ban all abortions, except in matters of life or death. H.3107 will protect eggs and embryos fertilized outside the uterus, allowing for in vitro fertilization (IVF). These embryos are not defined as persons.

There are also bills that will focus on reforming South Carolina’s energy initiatives and how they are regulated, as large data centers are placing a huge drain on our resources bills (H.3309 and S.12). Other bills address consolidating state health agencies, reducing the state income tax of 6 percent and providing funds for Hurricane Helene recovery.

South Carolina’s state treasurer, Curtis Loftis told WSPA-TV last week that the $1.8 billion treasury shortfall was an error and didn’t occur. The issue isn’t settled yet, however. The Post and Courier is predicting a federal securities investigation over the embarrassment. (Palmetto Politics, January 15.) Lawmakers plan a forensic audit to trace the loss, and some have suggested eliminating the treasurer’s office from the elected constitutional offices.

Make Your Voice Heard!

The best way to make a difference is to express your opinion to your lawmaker by calling their office and telling them you are opposed to a certain piece of legislation. If you have time, you can even tell them WHY you are opposed. Always mention that you are one of their constituents! Letters and postcards are effective too. Don’t bother sending emails, as they are generally disregarded. If the pending legislation is something you favor, let them know that as well!

How to find your representatives

At MySCVOTES.gov: check your voter registration status; get a sample ballot; find your polling place; find out in what district and precinct you live. With that, you can identify your SC senator and representative, your U.S. Congressperson and district; and U.S. senators. 

At SCStatehouse.gov: Find out who your state representative and state senator are; find bills and legislation and check the status of pending laws.

Find out more at lwvsc.com or lwvgreenville.com