Week 4 Update
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Overview of the Week:
Although Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Thursday and predicted six more weeks of winter, things are looking bright at the State House! This week the House Education and Public Works Committee on which I serve passed the "Transparency and Integrity in Education Act." The bill will head to the House floor next week for debate. House Republicans sent a strong message to drug dealers looking to traffic fentanyl in our state by passing "Trafficking in Fentanyl" to increase and make mandatory penalties on those who want to bring this dangerous drug into our State! February is Black History Month, and this week on the floor we honored several great South Carolina natives for their contributions and achievements.
Banning Political Indoctrination Heads to the Floor:
The House Education and Public Works Committee took a giant step this week to ensure transparency and make it easier for parents to have input into their children’s curriculum by sending the Transparency and Integrity in Education Act, H.3728, to the House floor for a vote. There are many "theories" of what this bill is and what it might cause, but here are the facts. This bill will make sure our students receive a broad scope of history and will not be indoctrinated through the lens of liberal leaning teachings such as Critical Race Theory. The future of our State is dependent on the next generation, which is why I am committed to making sure our students receive a high-quality education that is not clouded by bias, and that parents are assured of the utmost input and transparency.
Eradicating Fentanyl:
On Wednesday, I joined 91 of my colleagues in PASSING the "Trafficking in Fentanyl" bill that will protect our children from this dangerous drug. H.3503
declares fentanyl a Schedule 1 drug and increases the penalties on dealers who sell it. This bipartisan bill provides a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and sends a strong message to drug dealers and those trafficking fentanyl that South Carolina will no longer tolerate their dangerous activity in our state. I hope the Senate will move quickly to make this legislation the law of our state. Later we will be considering H.3476
"Fentanyl-Induced Homicide" which was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Black History Month Leaders Honored:
This week we honored the legacy of Dr. Matilda Evans, a remarkable woman who was the first African-American licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. Born in Aiken, she graduated from the Woman's College of Pennsylvania in 1897. Click here
to read more about her incredible life of achievement. On Thursday, Members of the House gave a standing ovation for Dr. Leo Richardson, who received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian award given in our State. To learn more about the accomplishments and tremendous service of this great South Carolinian, click here.
Transparency and Second Chances:
Government and the processes surrounding it should be transparent, which is why I supported Speaker Smith, Rep. Sandifer, and Rep. Carter’s bill that will increase transparency with the complaint process in the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. This bill also ensures that individuals with a criminal background who seek a license will be given a second opportunity. As we struggle to find good, hard-working individuals to employ, I am proud to support giving certain individuals a second chance while still allowing the licensing board the discretion to deny it. This will cover a wide array of licenses from plumbers to doctors.