NO. 33

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the ACTING PRESIDENT, Senator McELVEEN.

The following remarks by Senator CORBIN were ordered printed in the Journal of February 23, 2021:

Mr. PRESIDENT, I would initially -- I paired up with Senator ALEXANDER to do this amendment. We blended two amendments together. So unanimous consent to take section two out of it -- which is the amendment that he had already dealt with. I just want to deal with section one. Ladies and gentleman, the port system in this State is a crucial entity for business for everyone in the State. It is something that we all need -- something we all want. The question arises, how do we pay for this expansion? And it occurred to me that we spent a tremendous amount of time last week, maybe the week before, when I was out, talking about a Financial Literacy Bill, and it was stated from this well numerous times how horrible it was to borrow money, and how we want to teach our children that we shouldn't borrow money. We've got to keep our financial house in order. Do not borrow money. The Bible speaks about not borrowing money. Here we are talking about borrowing money. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I did some research and Senator CASH earlier was talking about what's unsure if we had the cash on hand to complete this project, and thankfully we do. You know COVID did something in South Carolina that I've been trying to do for ten years, and that is freeze government spending. How many times have I put an amendment up on the budget to freeze government spending and turn money back to the taxpayer; well, last year, because of COVID, we basically froze government spending, and we put this -- I'm going from memory -- but we put $800 million dollars aside thinking we may need it this year. Well, gee whiz, come to find out, we need it this year. Our ports are in need of $550 million. We've got the money on hand to do this. Without saddling our children with debt. I recognize the importance of the ports, and this accomplishes what we want to do. Everything we want to do. Thank you.

The following co-sponsors were added to the respective Bill:
S. 641 (Word version)   Sens. Hembree, Goldfinch, Williams and Sabb

The following House Bill and Resolutions were read the third time and ordered returned to the House with amendments:

H. 3589 (Word version) -- Reps. Allison, Lucas, M.M. Smith, Calhoon, Felder and Huggins: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 59-19-350, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOLS OF CHOICE EXEMPT FROM CERTAIN STATUTES AND REGULATIONS, SO AS TO REDESIGNATE THESE SCHOOLS AS BEING SCHOOLS OF INNOVATION, TO CLARIFY THAT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY ESTABLISH MULTIPLE SCHOOLS OF INNOVATION, AND TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING AND RENEWING STATUS AS A SCHOOL OF INNOVATION.

On motion of Senator HEMBREE.

H. 3608 (Word version) -- Reps. Lucas, G.M. Smith, Allison, Whitmire and McGarry: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO ADDRESS A FUNDING SHORTFALL FOR THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A RESULT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACTING ACT 135 OF 2020 DUE TO FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTIES CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 VIRUS, BY APPROPRIATING NINE MILLION DOLLARS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR PER PUPIL FUNDING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR.

On motion of Senator MALLOY.

H. 3609 (Word version) -- Reps. Lucas, G.M. Smith, Allison, Whitmire, Huggins, Ballentine, Wooten, Calhoon, McGarry, M.M. Smith, Yow, Jefferson, R. Williams, Wheeler, K.O. Johnson, Haddon, Magnuson, Morgan, Henegan, B. Newton, Anderson, Govan, Murray, Davis, Hixon, Taylor, Oremus, Blackwell, W. Newton, Herbkersman, Bradley and Weeks: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO RESTORE TEACHER STEP INCREASES THAT WERE SUSPENDED BY ACT 135 OF 2020 DUE TO FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTIES CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 VIRUS, BY APPROPRIATING FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS TO PROVIDE FOR TEACHER STEP INCREASES FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR.

On motion of Senator MALLOY.

At 11:06 A.M., on motion of Senator MASSEY, the Senate adjourned to meet next Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 12:00 Noon.

This web page was last updated on Friday, March 5, 2021 at 12:22 P.M.