State lawmakers on Monday voted to send a nearly $11 billion budget to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk. The budget includes $200M in special earmarks and directs spending starting July 1, but McMaster has until Saturday to decide on any vetoes. Lawmakers are also expected to return to decide on how to spend an additional $2.5B of federal aid money. More: AP News, The Post and Courier
In other headlines:
S.C. to end federal unemployment programs this week. All federal pandemic jobless programs will come to an end this week in South Carolina. Starting Sunday, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce will only offer state unemployment programs. More: WSPA
Lawmakers mull counter to Columbia’s conversion therapy ban. The state Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee heard testimony Monday on a bill to let mental health professionals refuse to provide care that violates their religious beliefs. The bill is a response to an ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors in Columbia. The state already has medical conscience protections in place for doctors and other health care providers, allowing them to opt out of providing non-emergency services to people when it contradicts their religious, moral, ethical or philosophical beliefs or principles. More: AP News
GOP congress members want critical race theory to end at S.C. colleges. The six Republican members of Congress from South Carolina have signed a letter urging University of South Carolina and Clemson University to stop teaching curriculum that explains white supremacy and its effects. More: The State
S.C. ed expands, rebrands summer feeding program. To prevent children from going hungry while school is out, every county in South Carolina is offering students free breakfast and lunch for every day of the week over the summer. The program is being rebranded as Summer Break Cafés and food pick-up locations will be located throughout the state at schools, parks, libraries, churches, and other partner organizations. More: WCSC
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
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