Statehouse Report #7

                                            Statehouse Report #7
     V.C. Summer, Opioid Abuse Prevention, &                                Budget Priorities


On Wednesday the House received a Senate resolution that extends the period of time the South Carolina Public Service Commission has to review a proposal by Dominion Energy to purchase SCANA Corporation. While an extension of time to review an acquisition bid may be merited, the House believes the main priority of the legislature should be addressing the existing 18% nuclear surcharge SCANA forces its customers to pay every month for the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project. The House has taken the position that the nuclear surcharge should be reduced to zero while the acquisition bid is being reviewed. Concerns about existing language of the Senate resolution will be addressed next week by the House Judiciary Committee.


H. 3820, a bill supported by the House Opioid Abuse Prevention Study Committee, was passed by the full House on Thursday. The legislation requires instruction in grades 9-12 on prescription opioid abuse prevention with an emphasis on the prescription drug epidemic. The bill passed with overwhelming support in the House, 107-1, and will now be taken up by the Senate. This is one of several opioid abuse prevention bills the House hopes to advance over the coming weeks. I urge my Senate colleagues to pass this critical legislation immediately and send it to the governor for his signature.


There were also several House funding priorities added to the budget this week by the House Ways & Means Committee that will improve the lives of South Carolinians. The House has chosen to prioritize education funding, retirement benefits, tax relief, and opioid abuse prevention. Specific budget additions include a 2% teacher pay increase, $32 million increase in education funding, $50 million for higher education capital project needs, a 1% pension contribution increase for state employees, $600 million in tax relief, and $11.35 million for opioid abuse prevention measures. These budget priorities will be voted on by the full House during the week of March 12.


It is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Columbia again this year. 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 at calforrest@schouse.gov.

Other items of interest;

I met with leaders of local schools Wednesday morning. The main topic of conversation was school safety. Safety of our students is top priority. We can all be thankful that we have leadership in our schools that make it their priority to put the safety of students at the top of the list. 

Wednesday was also the American Heart Association's State Lobby Day. I met with Stacey and Reid Derrick, who were there to advocate on behalf of the American Heart Association. 

Last, but certainly not least, Wednesday was also FFA day at the Statehouse. Groups of student from Ridge Spring-Monetta, Saluda, Batesburg-Leesville and Gilbert high schools were in attendance. Also attending were students of Piedmont Tech Saluda agricultural program. A big shout out to the teachers, Michael Crim, Amanda Crouch,Libby Templeton, Derrick Cooper and Roger Estridge.