Legislative Update: Week 2, 2020
Legislative Update: Week 1, 2020
January 21, 2020Legislative Update: Week 3, 2020
February 3, 2020Legislative Update: Week 2, 2020
Legislative Update: Week 2, 2020
Overview
Governor Henry McMaster led South Carolina into the roaring 20’s with his State of the State speech on Wednesday and outlined a bright future for the 5,148,000 who call our state home. The Governor laid out a sincere plan to move SC forward and I am ready to work with the entire General Assembly to turn it into reality.
The State of the State
Governor McMaster’s agenda prioritizes public education and returning money to taxpayers. On the education issue, I am excited to work with the Governor and am hopeful that the Senate will soon pass their own comprehensive education reform bill like the House passed last session. In addition, I also support the Governor’s plan to expand 4-year-old kindergarten programs, increase teacher pay again and freeze higher education tuition rates for in-state students and universities. Other highlights from his speech included sending some of the budget surplus back to the taxpayers, upgrading our prison systems, raising the pay for law enforcement and state employees and passing the Heartbeat Bill.
We are listening to teachers…
I am very pleased to say that Speaker Jay Lucas has proposed H. 4760 which will continue our education reforms efforts by reducing the number of state-mandated tests and assessments. This will allow more time in the classrooms for teachers to teach. The bill successfully passed subcommittee and full committee this week.
Special Guest
Speaker Jay Lucas is hosting the Mississippi Superintendent of Education, Dr. Carey Wright, this Thursday, January 30th. Mississippi has taken big strides in education reform in recent years and I am excited to hear more about Dr. Wright’s experience. She will be addressing the full education committee in Blatt Room 110 at 1:30pm. The public is encouraged to attend or you can watch Dr. Wright’s testimony at https://www.scstatehouse.gov.
Congratulations
Gov. Henry McMaster has named Rep. Bobby Cox (District 21) to lead South Carolina’s new Veterans’ Affairs Department. Rep. Cox is a former Army Ranger who was elected to the General Assembly in 2018. The Senate will have their hearing this Wednesday to confirm his position.
Quote of the Week
“This year let us roar into the twenties with renewed purpose. Let us be bold. Let us act on behalf of the sons and daughters of South Carolina, so that they may receive a state as bright with promise as that which we were blessed to inherit.” – Governor Henry McMaster, 2020 State of the State Address
It is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Columbia. If you need help navigating state government, or have any thoughts or concerns about what we are doing, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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