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Legislative Update - January 31, 2020

Overview

The last week of January was a busy one in Columbia filled with committee meetings and teachers visiting the State House. Teachers from around the state visited the Capitol while the Senate was addressing the education bill this week and the House was debating different education initiatives. It was also Carolina Day on Wednesday which brought all of the UofSC campuses together to celebrate the General Assembly’s efforts to support higher education. I am proud to have supported a bill last year that froze tuition rates for in-state students at 7 of UofSC’s 8 campuses throughout the state.

Teacher Bill of Rights (H.4753)

This week, I (along with every one of my House colleagues) voted for the Teacher Bill of Rights that addresses many concerns heard from teachers about limitations that have been placed on them in the classroom. This bill addresses student discipline, reducing frivolous lawsuits, cutting out burdensome paperwork, compensation for extra days, providing ongoing professional training, and adding a daily “duty-free” planning period. The bill also enacts a 100% property tax credit for teachers in the struggling I-95 corridor. 

Veterans Nursing Homes

The Joint Bond Review Committee (made up of a group of House members and Senators) approved the building of four new veterans nursing homes across the state. Veteran nursing homes will be installed in four counties; Sumter, Florence, Gaffney and Horry. I am proud to address the huge need for Veteran’s assisted living in the state. South Carolina’s mental health agency currently cares for over 500 veterans in three existing nursing homes in Anderson, Columbia and Walterboro, but there are thousands of more Veterans who need our help. 

Other Legislative News:

Boosting Our Reserves: The House introduced legislation to raise the state’s reserve limits from 5% to 10% incrementally over the next several years (H.5081 and H. 5082). We have the opportunity to do this because our economy is doing so well but we still need to prepare our reserves for a potential recession in the future. 

More Nurses: To help meet the nursing shortage and to support veterans seeking post-service employment, I voted for a bill (H.4404) that enables military medics and corpsmen to get credit for their experience as they seek associate's degrees and bachelor's degrees in nursing. This bill passed the House and was sent to the Senate for their consideration

Being Smart with $$$: Also this week, I voted to expand high school financial literacy program requirements (H.3199) that so that students will learn practical lessons in college and education loans, key loan terms, monthly payment obligations, repayment options, credit, and education loan debt.

Prohibiting Bullying: I also voted this week for H.4403 which provides for a more expansive definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" in schools and establishes procedures for responding to and remediating allegations of bullying.

Know Your Job: Lastly, I was proud to support (H.4076) that requires members of state boards and commissions to sign a document ensuring they have studied and understand their statutory duties and powers. Repeated refusal to sign the required documents constitutes grounds for removal from office by the Governor.

Did you know? The State House has an interactive app that helps keep you up to date on everything happening in the General Assembly and allows you to live stream committee hearings and session. Download the app today by following this link: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/mobileappinfo.php

Visitors

The Education Committee welcomed Mississippi State Superintendent, Dr. Carey Wright, to the State House on Thursday afternoon to discuss education reform and Mississippi’s unprecedented academic success under her leadership.


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I'm here to serve you. If you have questions about the legislative session, or any other matter, please call me any time at (803) 323-8146 or email randy@randyligonforstatehouse.com.

It is an honor to represent you in the S.C. House!

With sincere gratitude, Randy Ligon State Representative (803) 323-8146

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