February 17, 2006
Late School Start Bill Clears Senate's Education Subcommittee
Kudos to the Senate's Education Subcommittee for approving the uniform late school start bill (H. 4449). Around a dozen parents, sporting their Save SC Summers red shirts, showed up at the subcommittee meeting in support of the bill and three parents spoke to the committee about the bill's importance to families. Members of the subcommittee were listening and approved the bill 7-1. The bill, which prohibits schools from starting earlier than the third Monday in August, is currently in the Committee on Education. We anticipate the full committee will take a look at the bill next couple of weeks.
Thumbs up and special thanks to Sen. Luke Rankin who has been a great advocate of a uniform late school start date and we appreciate his support. Sen. Rankin backed the bill vehemently and, through successful political maneuvering, H. 4429 was passed in subcommittee. The bill would not have made it this far had it not been for the selfless efforts of Sen. Rankin.
Thumbs up to Myrtle Beach City Council, whose members unanimously approved an additional $100,000 in accommodations tax dollars for the chamber to promote the Myrtle Beach area.
Quick Updates
- H. 4449 – The property tax reform bill passed in the House after much discussion and was sent to the Senate. It was read for the first time in the Senate on Tuesday and was then sent to the Committee on Finance.
- H. 4450 - This bill proposes adding Article X regarding property tax reform to the constitution. It passed last week in the House and was sent to the Senate. It’s currently in the Senate’s Judiciary Committee.
- S. 1035 - The Senate workers' compensation bill is still being studied by the Judiciary Committee.
- H. 4427 - The workers' compensation bill is still with the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.
- H. 3795 - House bill prohibiting smoking in restaurants currently resides in the House Committee on Judiciary.
- S. 1001 - The credit block bill is being studied by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
Did you know?
The Governor’s Mansion in Columbia was built in 1855 as a residence for officers of the Arsenal Military Academy, which closed in 1865 so soldiers could fulfill their duties in the Civil War. Luckily, Sherman’s troops spared the building during the burning of the city at the end of the war. It was selected as the official Governor’s Mansion in 1868 and is now the center of Governor’s Green, which also includes the Lace House and the Boylston House. For information on tours, visit SCGovernorsMansion.org.
