south carolina senate

McMaster Pushes To Re-open Schools This Fall

On Wednesday, July 15th, Gov. Henry McMaster joined by his fellow Republican House and Senate leaders executively decided that SC schools will re-open for in-person teaching. This press statement comes as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the state. The district schools are being pushed to re-open with the option to choose between virtual learning and face-to-face learning.

McMaster says that “the classroom is one of the safest places to be,” in response to fear over Coronavirus. These plans are being made as the state believes that virtual education is not enough. Each district ultimately can decide a plan for themselves, yet now there must be an option that includes sending kids to school five days a week. As of 2019, SC schools remain #48 in state education across the country. It’s likely that the recent changes in schooling could impact the education kids receive. “What we need to do is take every step at our disposal to get kids back to schools,” McMaster said.

With this push to re-open comes a push for start dates to be halted. McMaster asks that schools consider beginning classes after September 8th, in addition to creating options for online and in-person learning.

There has been no official statement from SC school boards regarding final decisions for the upcoming fall semester. In the next few weeks, it’s possible we will see districts announcing plans that rotate between in-person and online classes.

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South Carolina Announces More Restrictions as COVID-19 Cases Rise

The SC case count for Coronavirus skyrockets to over 62,245 as of mid-July. In response to the large number of residents contracting the virus, the state announces more restrictions. Gov. Henry McMaster says, “We know that young adults who are rapidly contracting the virus and spreading it into our communities frequently congregate in late-night atmospheres which simply are not conducive to stopping its continued transmission.”

This late-night curfew on the sale of alcohol is to be implemented immediately. Restaurants and bars will no longer be allowed to converge past 11 p.m. This order omits alcohol sold at convenience or grocery stores. It’s merely a precaution meant to stop young people from spreading the disease at drinking establishments. As the disease weaves through the younger generation, it’s difficult to enforce social distancing. Because many adolescents do not show symptoms of the virus, this makes transmission much more likely.

As well as the late-night curfew, McMaster rolled out limited visitation to nursing homes on July 2nd. This came as a safety precaution toward an at-risk age group, and in order to protect front line healthcare workers, McMaster tells in a tweet. These restrictions are to be enforced until further notice.

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South Carolina Cities Mandate Masks

To mask or not to mask, is no longer the question. This month, several SC cities are pushing to mandate that all citizens need to wear face protection in public.

The Charleston City Council approved a face mask ordinance which began being enforced on July 1st. The ruling mandates that all citizens must wear face mask protection when entering any retail or restaurant establishment. This movement caters in an attempt to keep businesses open.

Greenville Online shared a sign posted at the door of a CVS Pharmacy on Main Street. “Face masks are required by law. When you wear a face mask, even ones made from cloth or common household items and materials, you promote your own safety and that of our colleagues and other customers,” the sign read. The response to these changes has been both negative and positive.

With 30,263 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide, SC has officially become a hotspot this summer. Some say these cases came as a response to establishments re-opening too quickly.

“The state cannot mandate everyone to wear a mask,” says Governor Henry McMaster on the issue. “It is ineffective, impractical, and unenforceable to have a statewide mandatory mask requirement.” McMaster did plead for citizens to start wearing masks. As of now, there are no further plans to lift restrictions on establishments that facilitate large crowds.

With cases still rising, we haven’t heard the last of the mask debate. But, it is difficult to say whether or not we will see any permanent legislative changes regarding the wearing of a mask.

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Coronavirus Cases Skyrocket in SC

With the rush to reopen SC businesses, a peak in coronavirus cases has come in response. Many other states are seeing a flattening of cases during the early weeks of summer, but SC is reporting differently. The short 6-weeks of quarantine are likely the reason for this spike.

In a recent press conference, state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell says “That today [she] is more concerned about COVID-19 in South Carolina than ever been before.” Her unease relates to the rising daily numbers since the beginning of the pandemic. Over 600 deaths have been reported in SC from coronavirus since it entered the U.S.

Will this information have an effect on businesses? If it were up to Governor Henry McMaster, things would remain likely the same. “We can’t stay closed forever,” says McMaster, though he urges residents to practice social responsibility. It seems staying healthy will likely be put on the shoulders of individuals.

For daily reporting of coronavirus numbers, visit Events as they happen on the World Health Organization site.

News

SC Governor to Reopen Public Attraction Facilities

Prior to memorial day weekend, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster stated that public attractions are now allowed to reopen throughout South Carolina.

The facilities themselves cover a large span of locales. From zoos and museums to parks and go-kart tracks, people are once again allowed to enjoy their services. This excludes nightclubs, bowling alleys, sporting events, and any other indoor activities where you could be within close proximity to others. The 6-feet-apart social distancing rule is still suggested.

The Carowinds amusement park is excluded as they’ve chosen to remain closed.

McMaster announced that youth and adult sporting leagues are now welcome to host practices. In Master’s guidelines for re-opening, he states “The value of team sports as a form of recreation that provides positive impacts on both individual physical health and the social health of our communities.” Outdoor activities, especially in the summer, are a large part of the South Carolina community.

Effective May 31st, practices return. Effective June 15th, games and competitions return. This slow integration is in response to coronavirus and public health recommendations.

McMaster reinforces communication, sanitation, and hydration during this transition. With these pillars in place, he is hopeful sporting events will return in a safely this summer.

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South Carolina Senate And House Members Santee Cooper

South Carolina Senators’ Latest Vote On Santee Cooper Offers No Solution

Just like that and we’re back to square one with Santee Cooper.

Going into last week South Carolinians were hopeful lawmakers would give a direction on what the future of debt-riddled, state-owned Santee Cooper would look like.

However, after Thursday’s vote, it doesn’t look like that’s the case.

Lawmakers were given three different proposals recommended by the Department of Administration, one to purchase the utility submitted by Florida-based NextEra Energy, one to manage submitted by Virginia-based Dominion Energy, and a reform plan from Santee Cooper itself.

On Thursday, the House of Ways and Means Committee rejected the three proposals presented by the Department of Administration, then moved to negotiate further with NextEra on a sale and move ahead with extensive reforms to Santee Cooper in the interim. Meanwhile, the Senate Finance Committee revealed their decision which was ultimately to give Santee Cooper more time to reform even though the plan didn’t address Santee Cooper’s billions of dollars of debt. Sen. Leatherman appointed a special committee lead by Sen. Setzler and Alexander to take a closer look at the reform plan and see what can be done.

South Carolinians hoping to be free from the burden of Santee Cooper’s debt and mismanagement were likely disappointed by the Senate’s seeming rejection of plans for a solution.

Both, the House and Senate’s decision removed Dominion’s management plan, which also failed to address the billions of dollars of debt owed by Santee Cooper, as an option.

While some senators are holding out hope for Santee Cooper, House members are looking to negotiate a better deal with NextEra that will protect Santee Cooper’s two million direct-serve and electrical cooperative customers and South Carolina taxpayers.

Santee Cooper critics are concerned with the utility’s lack of oversight and years of wasting their customer’s money on failed projects, board member retreats, legal fees, and high-paid executives and golden parachutes.

Michael Couick, CEO of The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Santee Cooper’s largest customer, told senators “They [Santee Cooper] just don’t care.” U.S. News reported that the electric cooperatives are disgusted with Santee Cooper’s treatment and the utility reportedly ignored warnings from the cooperatives about the V.C. Summer project.

Couick went on to say “This is how they make money. They charge what they spend.”

The current reform plan doesn’t address the current debt fully, only cost-cutting measures such as workforce reduction and plant closures, adding to concerns that customers and taxpayers will have to continue paying off the debt through increased rates and taxes.

The current fear among critics is that this reform plan leaves room for Santee Cooper to not change and leaves its ratepayers and customers with a debt burden too large thereby making the company unable to make necessary upgrades and changes in order to have a viable and strong utility.

House members hope that in negotiating a better deal with NextEra who is already promising to resolve the utility’s debt and provide nearly $1 billion in ratepayer relief, the state can move past the largest financial disaster in South Carolina history, move on to other issues, and save customers and taxpayers.

In a recent report from Forbes, Palmetto Promise Institute Chairman Phil Hughes was quoted saying “The offer from NextEra is very generous and resolves all debt. Accepting this offer will allow for real ratepayer relief and taxpayer protection.”

So what happens now?

South Carolinians, will, unfortunately, have to wait even longer to find out what will happen as the House and Senate try to come to a decision, all the while, Santee Cooper’s debt, which increases by around a million dollars each day, will continue to grow and other important issues like education will continue to take a backseat to this issue.

A spokesperson for NextEra was reported by The State as saying they’re open to negotiations.

While House members look to negotiate with NextEra, senators have been tasked with helping improve Santee Cooper’s reform plan. However, critics of a Santee Cooper reform are questioning whether real reform is possible even with legislation and what the government’s role should be in the utility business.

News

10 Hot-Button Questions For Presidential Candidates In The Upcoming Election

The 2020 Presidential Election is right around the corner and the candidates are making their way to all the big stops along the campaign trail. As a key state in the race, South Carolinians can expect to see many of the presidential hopefuls in the Palmetto State.

And, while there are obvious national issues that the candidates are likely to address, there are a few key topics South Carolina residents should be asking the candidates about. Below, are ten questions that matter to South Carolinians.

1. Do you support offshore drilling off of the coasts of states like South Carolina?

Offshore drilling is a hot topic amongst many South Carolinians. Earlier this year, U.S. Representative Joe Cunningham caused a stir after he blew an air horn during a House subcommittee hearing to call attention to how loud and disturbing seismic blast-testing is to marine life.

2. Do you believe the private sector is best suited to meet our country’s energy needs?

A major topic of conversation over the past year was and continues to be the future of Santee Cooper. The state-owned utility found itself billions of dollars in debt after abandoning its V.C. Summer project, creating the largest financial disaster in our state’s history. Now, the question is whether or not to sell to a private utility. In the case that it’s not sold the debt would fall onto the millions of Santee Cooper direct serve and electric cooperative customers living in South Carolina.

3. What are your thoughts on teachers’ pay in South Carolina?

Teachers in South Carolina are fed up with the current education system and it’s showing. With experiencing a statewide shortage, South Carolina ranks in the top 10 worst states for teachers. In May, many teachers protested and demanded higher wages and many other changes to their current working conditions.

4. What are your views on the legalization of marijuana?

With the legalization of marijuana happening in many states across the country, whether medicinal or recreational, the topic made it to the top of the list in the 2018-2019 South Carolina legislative session. However, it wasn’t passed through which means it will most likely be brought back up in the next legislative session and South Carolinians are paying attention.

5. What is your plan for affordable housing?

The cost of living in the Lowcountry and surrounding areas continues to rise significantly as people from around the country pour into our state. Affordable housing in South Carolina is a major issue and one that many residents are worried about.

6. Do you believe the minimum wage should be increased?

Many feel that while the cost of living in our state is increasing, pay is not. During the previous legislative session, a bill was introduced to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $17 per hour in the state of South Carolina. Many South Carolinians are hoping to see an increase in pay to balance out the higher cost of living.

7. What are your views on the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar?

As climate change becomes an ever alarming issue not only in the United States but around the globe, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are becoming more essential to our future. Incentives such as the solar investment tax credit (ITC) allow more people to afford the high costs of installing solar panels onto their home.

8. As president, how would you help to relieve the high costs of healthcare?

Healthcare continues to not only be a hot-button issue but is also a detrimental one for so many South Carolina citizens. In 2013 alone, 56 million Americans struggled to pay healthcare-related costs, that’s one out of five adults.

9. Student debt burdens millions in the United States and South Carolina is not immune, how do you plan on helping to relieve this pressure from young people?

Student debt has topped $1.5 trillion in the United States and the amount continues to rise. This debt burdens and weighs down young people looking to start their careers and adult lives. The rising student debt is an issue many South Carolinians worry about every day.

10. America’s infrastructure is crumbling. How would you fund expand funding to fix our roads and bridges across the country and in South Carolina?

Our country’s infrastructure is in major need of repair. As roads and bridges crumble, our daily commutes and school bus routes become more dangerous. While funding infrastructure is expensive it is essential to the well-being of our state and its residents.

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Department of Administration Announces Parties are Now Able to Submit Bids for Santee Cooper

The state Department of Administration recently selected four firms to explore options on the table for the debt-riddled, state-owned utility Santee Cooper. The firms, tasked with reviewing purchase and management offers and a reform proposal from Santee Cooper, will advise lawmakers as they work to decide the future of the utility.

On Friday, August 16, the Department of Administration took a step in the right direction and announced it is now inviting parties to submit bids for Santee Cooper. Moelis & Company, a New York-based investment firm, will advise the Department of Administration on the bids for Santee Cooper. The invitation can be viewed here.

On the same day, Santee Cooper approved a $5 million loan to Laurens Electric Cooperative through the economic development revolving loan program. This loan approval took place during an ongoing lawsuit between Santee Cooper and the co-ops over who is responsible to pay for the debt resulting from the failed V.C. Summer project continues.

The co-ops are suing to block Santee Cooper from charging its customers any more to pay off the $4+ billion of debt. The lawsuit would stop Santee Cooper from continuing to bill customers for the debt. Circuit Court Judge John Hayes ruled that the lawsuit would be allowed to continue on Friday.

In a 38-page claim, filed on Aug. 9, the co-ops presented a legal argument to show Santee Cooper actively kept information from its customers including construction setbacks and increased costs, in turn violating the contract and an attempt to make customers pay for a power plant that never produced electricity.