Russ McKinney

Republicans have controlled the South Carolina House of Representatives for almost thirty years. Following last November’s election, they achieved a super-majority with 88 of the 124 house seats held by Republicans. Ever since last year’s Republican Primaries a deep rift has been developing between members of the Freedom Caucus and many members of the mainline Republican Caucus leading to most Freedom Caucus members refusing to agree to sign-on to a set of G-O-P rules that they feel is aimed at muzzling them.

Last week the SC Supreme Court ruled the state’s six-week Fetal Heartbeat Law unconstitutional stating that it violated a woman’s right to privacy as provided by the state constitution. That left the previous 20-week abortion law in effect. The court’s decision didn’t sit well with the state’s conservative Republican leadership opening the door for another abortion debate, and lawmakers signaling they may also begin something they have long avoided, closer scrutiny of the judicial philosophy of potential Supreme Court justices.

When Henry McMaster takes the oath of office as Governor this week, he’ll become the first person in state history to be formally sworn into office for a third time. His new four-year term will, in all likelihood, be the capstone of a public service career that will span almost a half century.

One of the state’s key economic drivers, advanced manufacturing specifically auto manufacturing, appears to be on the verge of a dramatic new expansion that could create thousands of jobs, and help South Carolina maintain its’ competitive position in the global economy.As the auto industry begins to pivot from combustion to battery-powered-engines, state officials and their industry partners are scrambling to make sure the automotive manufacturing sector continues to thrive because as USC Research Economist Dr. Joey Von Nessen points out, advanced manufacturing is as important to South Carolina today as textile manufacturing was in the 19th and most of the 20th century.

The new law will require each police department that is not already accredited to be evaluated at least once every three years by the state’s Law Enforcement Training council to insure they are in compliance with a new set of minimum standards concerning use of force.

When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last month it stated that it was time to return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives, meaning state or federal lawmakers. Surveys by news organizations indicate that about half of the states are now expected to restrict or enact laws making abortion illegal. South Carolina is among them, and later today in Columbia the legislative process to do that will begin with a public hearing by a special State House of Representatives Committee.

State lawmakers finalized next year’s record setting state budget this week. The spending plan now goes to the Governor.

State lawmakers adjourned without approving next year’s state operating budget, but they’ll return for a brief session next month to try and resolve House and Senate differences in the spending plan. Teacher salaries, employee pay raises, reductions in personal income tax rates, and how much or if any of $1 Billion in higher than expected tax revenues should be returned to tax filers in the form of rebates must be agreed to prior to the new fiscal year which begins July 1.

A seven year effort to pass a medical marijuana bill stopped abruptly in the House of Representatives this week where the bill died on a technicality.The bill that would allow doctors in the state to prescribe medical cannabis as treatment for certain diseases. It appeared to be on its way for passage by the House when the House leadership ruled it procedurally dead.Bills that create or raise taxes must originate in the House. The so-called Compassionate Care Act originated in the Senate where it easily passed, and it would provide for new state fees to pay for regulating the growing and distribution of medical cannabis. House leaders decided the bill would be a separate tax so they ruled it out of order.The House decision shocked leaders of the Senate. Senate bills for years have altered fees and taxes. This weeks’ action could cause repercussions for the final days of the session. Next year’s budget … proposed income tax reduction, and an election reform bill are hanging in the balance. Senate Majority leader Shane Massey said he was "flabbergasted" at the House’s action.

Major differences with House versionThe big differences in the House and Senate versions of next year’s state budget are setting up a rocky road for final passage of the new budget which goes into effect July 1.