4/27 NEWSBREAK: Legislature set to approve school vouchers

The South Carolina House on Wednesday gave key approval to an education voucher bill, clearing the way for 15,000 students to be able to use public money for private school tuition. The approval comes after nearly two decades of trying to pass the bill, which Gov. Henry McMaster said he intended to sign.

The bill, which the Senate passed in January, establishes an education scholarship account, which would provide $6,000 each to families of up to 15,000 students to cover private tuition, textbooks, transportation and other costs. The proposal would cost nearly $30 million next year, and as much as $90 million if it reaches capacity.

“Families in South Carolina need options for their educational choices,” said House Education Chair Shannon Erickson, R-Beaufort, who pushed the Senate bill through the House. ““Having schools compete for students and letting parents vote with their feet on where they want their children to be educated is not a bad thing.”

The bill passed on a 79-35 vote with a few Republicans joining Democrats to vote against the proposal. Opponents of the bill said the state needs to focus on public schools before sending students to private schools.

“Our state has failed public education for a long time,” said Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg “Public school is the place where everyone is supposed to get educated regardless of who you are or where you come from. It builds character.”

In other headlines:

CP: Charleston Co. attorney gets $50K pay bump. Charleston County attorney Natalie Ham is set to receive a $50,000 bonus for efforts outside of her usual legal work for the county. The move has sparked controversy from elected council members after the county’s previous attorney negotiated consultant payment before leaving the county.

CP: New Charleston pop-up Lasy Chef makes health-conscious Filipino food. Lasy Chef Richella Acosta specializes in Filipino cuisine, which is normally meat-heavy, and instead uses vegetarian and sustainably sourced ingredients in addition to offering gluten-free and vegan options.

CP: Charleston’s Cultura Festival returns. Charleston hip-hop and R&B showcase Cultura Festival returns to The Royal American May 6 to spotlight artists throughout the state and Southeast.

Killer released early to head back to prison, justices say. Justices on the S.C. Supreme Court Wednesday canceled the secret order that allowed a convicted murderer to be released from prison 16 years early.

HOA bars Mount Pleasant resident from flying Ukrainian flag. A dual Ukraine and U.S. citizen received a “courtesy notice” from the Hamlin Plantation neighborhood’s Homeowners Association for flying the Ukrainian flag from his front porch, calling the rules “selective.”

Charleston mayoral candidates to set up fundraising operations. Several candidates running for mayor of Charleston spent the first quarter of 2023 hosting kick-off parties and getting fundraising options started, eyeing for a summer push in advertising and public campaigning.

Boeing confident in reaching 787 production goal at S.C. plant. CEO Dave Calhoun said consolidating all Dreamliner production to the South Carolina site in 2021 made the program more efficient, creating high hopes to reach the company’s goal of building 10 787 jets a month in North Charleston by the mid-decade.

Mexican restaurant in Charleston to close for car wash. La Hacienda on Sam Rittenberg Blvd in West Ashley is set to close and be demolished for a dual lane car wash.

Parents blindsided by Gates school closure. A charter school in North Charleston is being shut down at the end of this school year that primarily serves students with dyslexia, leaving parents confused and disgruntled.