Ladies and gentlemen,
I hope my column finds you well, and I hope these updates are helpful to you. Once again, I would like to take the opportunity to update you on things happening at the State House in Columbia.
After days of debate, the House passed this year’s budget. We raised teacher pay, as well as the minimum salary, and we also included funds to hire over a hundred more school resource officers for schools that don’t already have them, all while trying to cut the fat and make best use of taxpayer dollars. Speaking of spending state money, there is never a shortage of ideas for how to spend it, even before it exists. Many lawmakers in Columbia are already fighting over what to do with the taxes from the billion-dollar lottery jackpot. As for me, I say don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
I also introduced a bill with Rep. Lucas Atkinson (D-Marion) that would allow members of the S.C. State Guard to qualify for tax deductions for completing 192 hours of training or drill in a year, instead of 16 hours each month. This bill was passed by the House last year, and it is only fair to these public servants that we see it through to law this session.
As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.
Your friend and servant,
Rick