MORNING HEADLINES | The 170 members of the S.C. General Assembly convene at noon today, marking the formal start of a new, two-year session. January can be a bit of a slow month, according to S.C. Public Radio, but Statehouse leaders tell reporters they’re hitting the ground running.
The state Senate is first tackling a long-debated private school voucher bill. The current bill calls for a private school “scholarship,” or voucher, to be funded by public proceeds from the state’s Education Lottery. The measure is different from past measures that took public school tax dollars directly from the state budget.
The House’s budget committee starts hearings this week. House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, wants the chamber to prioritize Hurricane Helene relief, energy capacity and an income tax rate cut this year.
“Right now, we’re at a critical juncture of almost not being able to service the energy needs of South Carolina,” Smith told S.C. Public Radio. “We are having to buy power from North Carolina and Georgia. That is not what we need. We need to be self-sufficient.” Smith’s utility reform bill has a subcommittee hearing 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Meanwhile, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster released his $13 billion budget package on Monday, calling for teacher pay raises, steady college tuition and striking cash-only rules for lottery tickets, among other items.
McMaster’s teacher pay raise plan calls for a $50,000 salary floor for first-year teachers and an increase to minimum pay by $3,000 across the salary schedule. For higher education, he seeks to freeze college tuition for in-state students for a sixth consecutive year.
Lottery ticket profits are currently used to fund merit-based scholarships, but McMaster wants to continue using the profits for need-based financial aid and scholarships at technical colleges that prepare students for high-demand jobs.
To do so could require ditching the cash-only rule for buying tickets, which would generate an additional $52 million, according to the state Lottery Commission. South Carolina is one of only three states that require cash-only lottery sales, McMaster said.
In other recent headlines:
CP NEWS: Celebrated food author Nathalie Dupree passes away at 85. Nathalie Dupree, the grand dame of Southern cooking whose infectious personality and vast knowledge of how to blend tastes into memorable concoctions, died Monday in Raleigh, N.C. She was 85.
Charleston dog who made global headlines passes away. The Charleston Animal Society says Caitlyn, a Staffordshire terrier mix that was found a decade ago with its muzzle wrapped in electrical tape, died on Sunday after a brief bout of cancer.
- Previous CP coverage: Reconnecting with Caitlyn as shelter celebrates 150 years
Charleston approves downtown hourly parking increase. The city of Charleston’s 2025 budget included a parking price increase that has some workers and students saying they’re already feeling the cost. The parking rate increased from $1 for 30 minutes or $2 per hour to $1 for 20 minutes or $3 per hour.
S.C. Chef Ambassadors promote local chefs, agriculture and tourism. The S.C. Chef Ambassadors program announced its 2025 ambassadors, who will work to build farm-to-table relationships as they travel across the state. The ambassadors are Jeanne Koenigsberg of Greenville, Darren Smith of Conway and Shuai Wang of North Charleston.
- Longstanding Charleston corner store has coffee, crepes and plenty of character
- Recovery Room dethroned as world’s No. 1 seller of PBR
Charleston Co. officials announce plans for a teacher pay increase. Charleston County School District officials announced Monday evening that teachers may receive a pay increase later this fiscal year. CCSD Superintendent, Anita Huggins, said there could be an additional $4,000 without a tax increase come July.
Tuition-free charter school coming to West Ashley. A new classical charter school in Charleston, poised to open for the 2025-26 academic year, has garnered attention from community members for its classical model and its ties to Hillsdale College — a conservative Christian higher education institution — and to members of a local Moms for Liberty chapter.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.