David Vaughan for South Carolina

Thank you to all that were able to make it out this morning. I truly appreciate your support. It’s an honor to serve.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

We took the grandbabies to see Santa!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

Great coverage of a great event.

Upstate school unveils new freedom shrine and hosts Veterans Day ceremony Government officials, students and staff gathered at Hillcrest High School for a new freedom shrine display and Veterans Day ceremony.

We honor you. Thank you for your service.

Thank you, Hillcrest. Rep. Mark N Willis, Sen. Ross Turner and I were privileged to be in attendance.

"Today Hillcrest made history! Among the Mayor, multiple Legislators, students, and community guests, we unveiled and rededicated a brand new, beautifully painted Freedom Shrine. A gift from both the class of 2024 and the Media Marketing team, the Freedom Shrine was an honor bestowed upon Hillcrest many years ago and it needed an update so that classes are able to come and use it to learn and enjoy. Thanks goes to: the HHS Media Marketing team, Dr. Jarrett, Officer Madden, and the phenomenal painters Wittezverticalprinting! Stay tuned for video of the event."- Hillcrest High School

Thank you to Upstate Republican Women for bringing out many friends last night. Celeste and I enjoyed hosting and can’t wait to see everyone again soon.

So proud of you Jamie! Celeste Martin Vaughan

We are very proud of our Son-n-law Sergeant Berggrun!! Celeste Martin Vaughan

A great event with our Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette to support one of our favorites- Mayor Terry Merritt

https://youtu.be/Zh3Yz3PiXZw

This is a parody, or is it?? We have some states who are already close to this if not already there. Let’s all make sure SC is Never One of those States.

Alternative Math | Short Film A well meaning math teacher finds herself trumped by a post-fact America.

There is a real battle for life going on in our state. The House passed this last week…the Senate yesterday. Please continue to pray for LIFE in SC.

Thank you, Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce for a wonderful golf tournament. We are looking forward to next year!

Important update on CON legislation- S.164 passed by the House

This bill immediately repeals CON for 85% of those expenditures and services, leaving CON in place for only 3 of 20, including construction of new hospitals in counties with a hospital (but not in counties without one), addition or reclassification of beds, and nursing homes.

By January 1, 2027, the amendment would repeal CON for 95% of those expenditures and services, including complete repeal of CON for construction of new hospitals and addition or reclassification of beds.

I was so honored to attend the Changing of the Colors for the State Guard 2nd Battalion.

It’s a great day in Columbia as the Lady Mavs basketball 5A State Champions are recognized by the South Carolina House of Representatives. Pictured with the team are Rep. David Vaughan, Rep. Ashley Trantham, and Rep. Bruce Bannister.

I enjoyed my visit this morning with Principle Peake at Mauldin High School.

Enjoyed golf at the annual Simpsonville Chamber golf tournament.

We enjoyed our day yesterday at the Carolina Cup.

Representative Brandon Guffey has taken something so tremendously tragic and turned his loss into a passion to fight against evil. Please share his story and make people aware of Brandon’s fight in memory of his son.

His Son, 17, Was Sextortion Victim, Then Died by Su***de. Now, S.C. Dad Protects Other Kids from Same Fate Gavin Guffey, 17, had just graduated from high school and was getting ready for college with plans to become an art teacher

In January the House Republican Caucus outlined our agenda for the 2023-2024 Legislative session, which focused on five main pillars: bolstering statewide economic development, reforming education, limiting government through fiscal discipline, increasing personal freedom and conservative values, and prioritizing public safety and making law and order a top priority. Our agenda was aimed at creating a strong and prosperous state with a focus on preparing students for the workforce, reducing government intervention, promoting conservative values, and creating a safe and stable community.

I am proud to report that we have made great strides in each of these areas, passing strong legislation and strengthening the foundation for South Carolina’s success. I’ve outlined some key legislation and progress made on each of our pillars below, and I look forward to returning next week to get back to work for the people of our great state.

✅ Improve statewide economic development to ensure prosperity:
Thanks to the diligent work of Gov. Henry McMaster, the SC Dept of Commerce, and the State Legislature, Scout Motors, a US EV manufacturer backed by Volkswagen Group, will be establishing their first US-based manufacturing plant in the Midlands. At this site, the company will build all-electric, next-generation trucks and rugged SUVs hearkening back to the iconic Scout vehicles produced from 1960 to 1980. The $4 billion total investment, with $1.291 billion coming in the form of incentives from the state, has the potential to create 8,000 or more permanent jobs and an economic impact of over $15 billion by 2029. Scout chose South Carolina for our committed workforce, our business-friendly environment, and our infrastructure. I am committed to ensuring our state is appealing for economic investments like the Scout project, and that we are prepared when great opportunities come along. Read more about this project here.

✅ Reform our education system so students are better prepared for the workforce:

Preparing students for the workforce, and for finding high-paying jobs, is crucial for their future success and the growth and competitiveness of our economy. Our education system plays a critical role in developing the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes for students to succeed in the workforce, making workforce preparedness an essential component of education. I have worked hand in hand with my Republican colleagues this session to pass legislation that requires more transparency in curriculum, increases accountability for those entrusted with our children, and ensures our schools are preparing students for a prosperous future.

A few key pieces of legislation that we have passed this session include:

H.3726, the Statewide Education and Workforce Development act, will deliver value-added services to business customers by collaborating with them to address skills shortages for good-paying jobs in priority industries and address obstacles to employment to increase labor participation. The goal of this bill is to eliminate duplication, improve efficiencies, and achieve a more coordinated approach in our workforce and education pipeline.

H.3728, the Transparency and Integrity in Education Act, will make sure our students learn a broad scope of history and will not be indoctrinated through the lens of liberal leaning teachings like Critical Race Theory.

H.3591, is a joint resolution that would amend the SC Constitution, which currently prohibits the state from providing direct aid to certain private educational institutions. Repeal of the ‘Blaine Amendment’ will give parents flexibility in making the best choice for their child's education, help provide South Carolinians the best education opportunities possible, and help protect many state funded programs, such as the SC Tuition Grants Program, LIFE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, CERDEP/CDEPP (full day 4K programs), and the Office of First Steps. As with any effort to amend the State Constitution, the General Assembly must pass a resolution that puts this question on a statewide ballot for voters to decide in the next General Election. Accordingly, the House voted to put this question on the 2024 ballot.

✅ Limit government by implementing fiscal discipline and responsibility:
South Carolina’s ability to be competitive while remaining a great place to live, work, and raise a family, is critically dependent on fiscal conservatism, discipline, and limited government involvement. One of the most important responsibilities of the legislature is passing a balanced state budget. I am proud to have supported the 2023-2024 state budget, which focused on lowering tax burdens for working families, budgeting for people and not programs, increasing our savings and reserves, investing in our infrastructure and economy, and taking care of the hard working individuals who serve the people of South Carolina. This budget positions our great state for continued economic growth and will ensure our people have opportunities to prosper. View the budget here.

✅ Increase personal freedom and encourage conservative values:
As one of the most conservative states in the nation, and also one of the fastest growing, it is imperative that we fight to ensure conservative values and ideology remain the foundation of how we govern. Defending the Second Amendment, protecting life, and electing conservative judges were top priorities for the House this session.

A few key pieces of legislation that we have passed this session include:

H.3594, the Second Amendment Preservation Act, ensures that South Carolinians who can lawfully own a firearm have the right to carry it openly or concealed, except with limited restrictions. The bill also increases penalties for felons in illegal possession of a firearm and gives law enforcement additional tools to do their jobs and protect our communities.

H.3774, the Human Life Protection Act, declares that life begins at conception and restricts abortion procedures, except in emergency situations. The bill will not prevent a licensed physician from performing an abortion in cases where a pregnancy results from incidents of r**e or in**st, when a fatal fetal anomaly is present, or when the life of the mother is at risk.

Electing conservative judges is critical to protecting our personal freedoms and conservative values. In a Joint Assembly of the Senate and House, members voted for several open and contested races for judges throughout SC. Perhaps the most important election was for an open seat on the SC Supreme Court. Except for just 3 Republicans and 1 Democrat, we elected Justice-Elect Gary Hill to our Supreme Court. I am proud to have cast my vote for Gary, who will replace the justice who was the deciding vote on that court’s recent 3-2 opinion to strike down our state’s Fetal Heartbeat law. Congratulations to Gary Hill.

✅ Prioritize public safety and make law and order a top priority:
When citizens feel safe in their communities, they are more likely to engage in activities that promote social and economic growth. By supporting law enforcement and implementing policies that prioritize public safety, communities can prevent and reduce crime and create an environment where individuals can thrive. We have worked hard to take crucial steps towards building a stronger and more secure state by cracking down on fentanyl trafficking, stopping catch and release for repeat criminals, and supporting law enforcement with additional funding and resources.

A few key pieces of legislation that we have passed this session include:

H.3503, the Trafficking in Fentanyl bill, declares fentanyl a Schedule 1 drug and increases the penalties on dealers who sell it. This bi-partisan 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.

H.3532, the Bond Reform bill, will help make South Carolina a safer place for us all to raise our families by stopping the revolving door for repeat criminals. This bill creates sentence and bond enhancements for a person convicted of a violent crime while out on bond for a previous violent crime.

Ensuring our law enforcement officers are competitively compensated and have the training and resources they need to keep our families and themselves safe is imperative, which is why I voted to pass the 2023-2024 state budget. This budget raises the base salary for law enforcement officers and helps to recruit new and retain current LEOs. It also provides for the hiring of 188 additional School Resource Officers, meaning every public school in SC will be protected with an SRO on site.

Scout Motors has chosen SC for it's first manufacturing site. This $2B investment will bring over 4,000 jobs to our state and will be truly transformative to the area and our state as a whole.

The SC House of Representatives passed the 2023-2024 state budget that focuses on reducing taxes and increasing reserves, investing in roads and bridges, recruiting and retaining teachers and law enforcement professionals, and workforce preparedness through education and job training initiatives.Read the press release here http://bit.ly/42eI60M

Proud to stand with fellow prolife legislative leaders today to advocate protecting the unborn.

House Republican Caucus
2023 Week 9 – Investing in a Vibrant Economy

As Week 9 comes to a close I am pleased with the progress we’ve made in an effort to better prepare our current and future generations for the workforce. A vibrant workforce is critical to sustaining and growing our state’s economy, and it is imperative that we ensure the tools and resources needed to succeed are ready and available to all South Carolinians. Next week, we will move on to the budget. Although our time on the floor will be long, and likely extend into the evening, I look forward to passing a budget that helps move South Carolina forward and remain a great state to live, work, and raise a family.

Putting South Carolinians to Work:
On Wednesday, my colleagues and I voted to make an investment in education and workforce development that will provide the tools and resources to get people jobs, and help students, parents, and job seekers make informed career choices. H.3726, the Statewide Education and Workforce Development act, will deliver value-added services to business customers by collaborating with them to address skills shortages in priority industries and in-demand occupations and address obstacles to employment to increase labor participation. The goal of this bill is to eliminate duplication, improve efficiencies, and achieve a more coordinated approach in our workforce and education pipeline. We must prepare our future generations for whichever career path they choose, and this bill is a great starting point.

Celebrating Women in Hunting and Fishing:
The House unanimously passed H.3868, a bill declaring the second Saturday in November of each year as “Women in Hunting and Fishing Awareness Day”.

Streamlining DOT Contract Process:
The House unanimously passed S.361, a bill to remove the requirement for preapproval of construction contract extensions by the DOT Commission. Instead, it would require that the Commission ratify any extensions to construction contracts at their next scheduled meeting. This will help streamline the DOT contract process on important infrastructure projects around our state.

On The Horizon: Budget
The House Ways & Means Committee wrapped up weeks of hearings and approved the preliminary 2023-24 state budget. This initial budget proposal (nearly $14 billion) is a starting point and, while large, is fiscally conservative and focuses on our key functions of government. The Full House will debate it next week before sending it to the Senate. I am committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and in a way that directly impacts South Carolinians.

--Budget Highlights--

Public Education K-12: Collaborative efforts with Gov McMaster and Superintendent Weaver for a transformative investment in public education
$590 million of additional money goes to K-12 public schools
$2,500 minimum salary increase for teachers at all levels
$42,500 will be the salary for beginning teachers (33% increase over the past five years)
$27 million more for school resource officers to keep students safe
$17 million to attract school bus drivers to fill vacancies
$260 million to state aid to classrooms
Teacher supply checks to $350 per teacher
Online financial dashboard that will provide greater transparency in educational spending at district and school levels
$20 million towards school safety upgrades in schools of need
$16.7 million to cover increased expenses for full day 4k
$15 million for tutoring programs to help close the learning gaps through more intensive and personalized support
$12.5 million expansion in computer science and career & technology education to prepare the next generation for the modern workforce

Public Higher Education
$69 million in tuition mitigation to freeze tuition prices (25% increase over this year)
Prevents an increased burden on SC taxpayers
investing in our State’s people, not programs
Fully funding LIFE, HOPE, Palmetto Fellows Scholarships, and lottery tuition assistance for the 8th year in a row
$176 million to fund maintenance and renovations at the comprehensive colleges
$130 million to fund maintenance and renovations at the technical colleges
$100 million for SC WINS scholarships for technical colleges for critical workforce needs
$15 million for tuition mitigation for Technical Colleges
doubling our investment
Increase funding for Needs Based Grants to $80 million
$4.1 million for College Transition Program Scholarships for students with disabilities
$500,000 to create Autism Academic Program Enhancement at Francis Marion University
$5 million for the SC First Scholarship at MUSC
$2 million for Ready SC to recruit and train workers at new companies and expansions of companies in the State

Focus on “Degree to Career” Pathways
$100 million to SC Wins Scholarship Program
funding for sc technical colleges for enrollment in workforce programs: manufacturing, health care, computer science/tech, transportation distribution and logistics
$3.5 million to tech schools for the SC Youth & Small Business Grant

State Employees
$332 million additional investments in state employees
$2,500 salary increase for all state employees (6% pay raise for a person making $40,000/year)
$120 million to cover increased costs of health insurance
Law and Order: Recruitment and Retention, Safety and Security, and Land Conservation
$28 million for recruitment and retention of Class 1 Law Enforcement Officers
$50,000 new base salary (15% increase from last year)
$20 million for recruitment and retention of Juvenile Corrections Officers
$40,500 (6.5% increase from last year)
$16 million investment into Solicitors & Public Defenders
$50 million for maintenance and safety upgrades at DJJ
$14 million for SRO positions
hiring an additional 188 SRO
$3.2 million for Center for School Safety & Targeted Violence: hands on training for SRO
$50 million for safety upgrades at Dept of Corrections & Dept. of Juvenile Justice
$20 million to DNR for land conservation and acquisition
$18 million for Conservation Bank for Conversation Grants

Economic Development
$200 million for strategic economic development infrastructure
$20 million for Office of Resilience
$25 for Parks, Recreation, and Tourism: will benefit rural SC
$20 million for agriculture
Infrastructure:
63% of bridges needs repair or replacement
$200 million for bridge maintenance, repair, or replacement
$250 million to support local and secondary road projects
$8 million for off-interstate litter pick up
$4.4 million to implement the Statewide Education and Workforce Development Plan
$3 million to Volunteer Strategic Assistance & Fire Equipment program (volunteer firefighters)
$35 million DMV IT infrastructure upgrades
$50 million for Capital Investing grant program for the Statewide Airport System

Healthcare:
Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services will be partnering with Clemson, USC, MUSC, DHEC to establish the SC Center of Excellence in Addiction
$18 million to increase compensation for nursing and mental health professionals
Other
$1 BILLION to the general & capital rainy day funds
$2,500 salary increase for all state employees who make less than $83,000
$121 million for state employee healthcare coverage
$725,000 to Department of Administration to enhance state’s e-recruitment and onboarding
$3.9 million to judges and corresponding staff to reduce size of docket backlogs
$3.3 million to revitalize our Military Readiness Center
$5 million to the Military Enhancement Fund
$255,000 to the Burial Honor Guard Support Fund
$40 million to SC Enterprise Information System to upgrade IT including security threat defense
$13 million Local Government Fund

Legislative Update for Week 8 – It’s All About the Next Generation

Overview of the Week:
A common thread during Week 8 of this legislative session was protecting and supporting the next generation. On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues in giving voters the opportunity to decide whether the State can provide direct aid to certain private educational institutions. This will be on the ballot in 2024. We also made strides in keeping criminals off the street by passing historic bond reform legislation that will stop the revolving door for repeat offenders. I am committed to making South Carolina the best place to raise your family!

Increasing Educational Choices & Opportunity:
It is imperative that we give flexibility to parents to make the best choice for their child's education. On Tuesday, I joined my Republican colleagues and voted to pass joint resolution H.3591 that would amend the SC Constitution, which currently prohibits the state from providing direct aid to certain private educational institutions. As with any effort to amend the State Constitution, the General Assembly must pass a resolution that puts this question on a statewide ballot for voters to decide in the next General Election. Accordingly, the House voted to put this question on the 2024 ballot.

Keeping Criminals Off the Street:
On Wednesday, I proudly voted for H.3532, a bond reform bill that will help make South Carolina a safer place for us all to raise our families by stopping the revolving door for repeat criminals. This bill creates sentence and bond enhancements for a person convicted of a violent crime while out on bond for a previous violent crime. The bipartisan vote was 92-20.

SC Cannot Tolerate Hate Crimes:
H.3014, the Clementa C. Pickney Hate Crimes Act, creates an opportunity for criminal courts to impose additional penalties on criminals convicted of a felony who target their victims based on their race, or other listed factors. The bill is headed to the House floor next week where I intend to support it.

Education Bills on the Horizon:
Parents and their children deserve as much choice as possible regardless of their zip code. H.3843, the Open Enrollment Bill, will allow students to attend public schools outside of their attendance zone and school district. By providing more opportunities, parents can find the best school and fit for their child’s education.

H.3360 will establish the Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence within the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The purpose of the center is to provide extensive training, education, and expertise in the fields of school safety and targeted violence. Our state needs this program so we can ensure our schools are prepared for any kind of emergency.

Our nation is experiencing staffing shortages in schools, and not just with teachers. It is imperative that we recruit and maintain the necessary support staff to empower our teachers to do their jobs. H.3308 will make it acceptable for the State Board of Education to accept credentials of school psychologists, social workers, and school guidance counselors issued by other states if the credentials meet the requirements for certification in South Carolina.

Economic Investment = Jobs for South Carolinians:
Scout Motors, a US EV manufacturer backed by Volkswagen Group, announced on Friday they will be establishing their first manufacturing plant in Blythewood, South Carolina. At the Midlands site, the company will build all-electric, next-generation trucks and rugged SUVs harkening back to the iconic Scout vehicles produced from 1960 to 1980. The company’s $2 billion investment has the potential to create 4,000 or more permanent jobs. At full capacity, more than 200,000 Scout vehicles may be produced annually at the facility. Read the full press release here.

On The Horizon: Budget
The House Ways & Means Committee wrapped up weeks of hearings and approved the preliminary 2023-24 state budget. This initial budget proposal (nearly $14 billion) is a starting point. The House will debate it the week of March 13 before sending it to the Senate. I’ll keep you informed as this year’s budget discussions make progress over the next few weeks.

📣HOUSE REPUBLICANS WORK TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITY AND CHOICE IN EDUCATION

(Columbia, S.C.) - The SC House of Representatives passed a joint resolution that would amend the SC Constitution, which currently prohibits the state from providing direct aid to certain private educational institutions. The vote was 83-27.

“The House confirmed that it is past time we repeal our outdated ‘Blaine Amendment’ and provide certainty to many of the programs that are essential to the students of our state,” said House Speaker G. Murrell Smith, Jr. (R-Sumter). “Not only does this provision have an ugly origin, but it also has dangerous and far-reaching implications.”

H.3591 seeks to repeal the Blaine Amendment to give parents flexibility in making the best choice for their child's education and help provide South Carolinians the best education opportunities possible. Repeal of the amendment will also help protect many state funded programs, such as the SC Tuition Grants Program, LIFE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, CERDEP/CDEPP (full day 4K programs), and the Office of First Steps.

“So many South Carolinians rely on these programs in pursuit of further education,” said House Majority Leader Davey Hiott (R-Pickens). “We are fighting to ensure they remain available by removing this constitutional barrier.”

As with any effort to amend the State Constitution, the General Assembly must pass a resolution that puts this question on a statewide ballot for voters to decide in the next General Election. Accordingly, the House voted to put this question on the 2024 ballot. “I look forward to letting the people of our state speak on this issue and am hopeful we can turn a new page in SC for a brighter future,” said Smith.

It was really nice being with Republicans of the upstate last night at the Fourth District Republican Club event at the Commerce Club. We enjoyed hearing from my friend Pamela Evette.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Overview of the Week:
The Second Amendment, ratified on December 15th, 1791, remains one of the most fundamental safeguards to our liberty and freedom. On Wednesday, I proudly joined my Republican colleagues and voted to strengthen those inalienable constitutional rights by removing the need for a government permission slip to exercise them. The landslide 90-30 vote brings us one step closer to joining 25 other states with some form of "Constitutional Carry" laws.

Strengthening our Second Amendment Rights:
As a strong supporter of the Constitution, I voted to restore a constitutional freedom that will provide more options for individuals and families to protect themselves in SC. H.3594, the Second Amendment Preservation Act, ensures that South Carolinians who can lawfully own a firearm have the right to carry it openly or concealed, except with limited restrictions. Our bill was developed with the help of SC's top law enforcement officials to make it tougher on felons who carry guns. For any felon charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm, first-time violators could face up to 5 years in jail, second-time offenders would face 5 to 20 years, and third-time or more violators would face 10 to 30 years in prison. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it has died every legislative session. I am optimistic that the ‘tough-on-crime element’ favored by law enforcement could be the differentiator in getting this passed in the Senate and on to the Governor for his signature.

Supporting Our Veterans and Active Military Families:
I proudly voted to support our veterans this week by helping to unanimously pass two important bills that will streamline and improve efficiency within some of our veterans services. H.3802 will restructure the Veterans’ Trust Fund board and H.3797 makes it easier for military parents to enroll their children in SC schools while on active duty or pending transfer.

On The Floor Next Week:

H.3532 - Bond Reform Bill
H.3591 - Joint Resolution for Constitutional Amendment

On The Horizon:

Preparing South Carolina’s Workforce:
Because a vibrant workforce is critical to sustaining and growing our State economy, I supported H.3726, the Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act. This bill establishes a state workforce readiness goal of at least 60% of all working age South Carolinians having a postsecondary degree or recognized industry credential by 2030. To reach this goal, strengthen workforce development, and break down barriers for South Carolinians who desire greater access to improving their skills and education, we are taking three strong and innovative measures. The bill requires the State Dept of Education to ensure that all public high school students are prepared for college-level math and reading, requires state colleges and universities to develop articulation agreements for uniformity in recognition of earned college credits, and requires a report to the General Assembly on the best way to utilize the state’s technical colleges for those seeking new opportunities through workforce training and post-secondary credentials. I expect this bill to move through committee and be taken up on the house floor in the coming weeks.

SC Cannot Tolerate Hate Crimes:
H.3014, the Clementa C. Pickney Hate Crimes Act, creates an opportunity for criminal courts to impose additional penalties on criminals convicted of a felony who target their victims based on their race, or other listed factors. On Thursday this bill passed the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee and will head to the full Judiciary Committee next week. As one of only two states that hasn’t addressed this issue it is imperative we get this to the House floor 2023 session.

Improving Health Care Costs and Options in SC:
On Tuesday the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee heard public testimony on S.164, a bill to promote cost containment, prevent unnecessary duplication of health care facilities and services, guide the establishment of health facilities and services which will best serve public need, and ensure high quality services are provided in health facilities in this State. The bill should make its way through committee and on to the House floor in the coming weeks.

From the Senate:

Providing Alternative School Choices to Parents:
Concerned that the Education Savings Account (ESA) legislation that recently passed the Senate may not survive a court challenge, a Senate committee passed alternative legislation this week. Senators voted 16-4 for a bill that allows up to $55 million in tax credits to help parents pay for private K-12 tuition. Opponents of the ESA bill say tax credits are a much better alternative since it doesn't involve taking money out of public coffers for private education. Instead, donors would get a tax credit for giving to a nonprofit that doles out scholarships, so the state never collects the money.

Stopping the Dangerous ‘Carolina Squat’:
A ban on the low-riding ‘carolina squat’ vehicle modification cleared the SC Senate 39-2. The measure would restrict a vehicle's back-to-front height difference to four inches — with fines of between $100 and $300 for violators. Chronic offenders could have their license revoked. Those vehicles are illegal in North Carolina and Virginia.

Boating Safety Education Course Requirement:
The Senate passed S.96, requiring all persons born after July 1, 2007, to complete a boater education safety course before operating a vessel of more than ten hp. The bill includes exceptions if other qualified persons are on the boat. The House will now consider the bill.