Dear Friends:

In our divided and raucous political environment, where everyone has a voice on social media, public officials can be crushed by an avalanche of criticism for speaking up. So, it is refreshing to see bold leadership coupled with common sense, particularly in public education.

This week saw SC’s State School Superintendent Ellen Weaver step forward and courageously push back on the harmful nonsense being thrust on our kids by the Biden administration that has grossly overreached its role and authority.

Stop the Nonsense

Weaver issued a letter to every local public school superintendent in the state recommending school districts disregard new federal regulations that would expand the definition of sex discrimination under Title IX to protect gay, lesbian, and transgender students.

Weaver was clear, “South Carolina students are not pawns to be sacrificed in cynical political gambits. Accordingly, our state will defend the inherent dignity of every person while refusing to upend longstanding federal law, violate common sense, or acquiesce to radical attempts to redefine biological reality by bureaucratic diktat.”

The US Department of Education’s new Title IX rule seeks to rewrite Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 fundamentally and radically, a longstanding civil rights law prohibiting sex discrimination in all federally funded education programs. Title IX has been a landmark achievement of law and progress, ensuring equality of opportunity and protecting the rights of girls and women.

Biden’s War on Women

The new rule turns the Title IX statute on its head. It rescinds 50 years of progress and equality of opportunity by putting girls and women at a disadvantage in the educational arena.

By redefining the class of people that Title IX intends to protect, the Biden administration’s rule seeks to change the meaning and purpose of the underlying law by compelling the speech of students and teachers related to preferred pronoun use, upending biology-based protections for females in athletics, bathrooms, locker rooms, overnight accommodations, and other sex-separate spaces and activities.

That places massive legal uncertainty and compliance costs on school districts, creating chaos and confusion for teachers, students, and parents.

Weaver wrote in the memo that she expects the rules to be swiftly challenged in the courts when they take effect on August 1.

Call To Action: Concerned parents should call or write their elected local school board member and tell them not to implement the new federal mandate, which is troubling and dangerous. School Superintendents work for those elected school boards.

LOCAL FOCUS

The Order of the Palmetto

It was a Sunday morning surprise when the Rev. Doug Slaughter was presented with ‘The Order of the Palmetto,’ SC’s highest civilian recognition. Sen. Tom Young, Rep. Bill Clyburn, and I represented Gov. Henry McMaster. Earlier this year, Rev. Slaughter retired after leading Aiken’s Second Baptist Church for 30 years. His impact for good has been immense both locally and statewide.

Honoring Ms. Judy

USC-Aiken baseball fans gathered before today’s Pacer game at Roberto Hernandez Stadium for a ceremony honoring Judy Thomas, the late wife of famed Coach Kenny Thomas. A bronze plaque was unveiled honoring ‘Ms. Judy.’ It will be permanently placed in the area where she sat for every home game for 22 years. She was a ‘SUPER FAN’ and a mama to many baseball players as a stalwart of USC-Aiken’s baseball program. It will also be great to see ‘Coach T’ back in the stadium he helped build.

State House to the School House Tour

On Friday, I took my State House to the School House Tour to Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School. Four classes of 3rd graders came with lots of questions about the State House and how state government works.  those kids!

LEGISLATIVE BRIEFS

The clock is ticking on the 125th Legislative Session. Only legislative six days remain before the General Assembly sine dies (ends the regular session as decreed by the State Constitution). That means there is a flurry of activity in getting bills passed by the House and Senate. Earlier this month was crossover day, in which bills passed by one chamber needed to be sent to the other chamber to be considered. That means the House is working on legislation sent to us by the Senate, and vice versa. The following is an update on significant legislative activities and the progress of various essential bills that will impact our great state of South Carolina.

Senate Completes Budget Deliberations

The Senate approved its version of the $15.4 billion state budget for the next fiscal year. It raises salaries for state employees and teachers, sets aside more money to improve and repair roads and bridges, and doubles a planned income tax cut to 0.2 percent. Senators debated requiring school children to use the bathrooms of their sex assigned at birth. They also approved an amendment prohibiting universities from spending state money on entry fees, exit fees, or outside attorney expenses if they try to change conferences. Clemson is suing the ACC, challenging what the school calls the league’s “exorbitant $140 million” exit fee from that sports conference.

The focus is now reconciling the House and Senate versions of the budget to ensure that our fiscal plans reflect the priorities and needs of all South Carolinians. A group of three House members and three senators will negotiate the differences. We will return in June to vote on the agreed-upon budget.

Health Policy Advances

This week, the House Judiciary Committee tackled S.915, a bill initially introduced in the Senate to create the Executive Office of Health and Policy. The committee opted to amend the bill significantly, substituting the Senate’s language with the provisions of H.4927—a similar bill previously passed by the House earlier this session. The amendment aims to streamline healthcare services and improve coordination across various agencies by establishing the Executive Office of Health and Policy. This move enhances the governor’s oversight in public health emergencies, ensuring a unified and effective response across South Carolina.

Only Citizens Can Vote in SC

The House Judiciary Committee has approved an amendment to ensure that only registered citizens can participate in our electoral process. This move is crucial for maintaining the integrity of our elections and ensuring that every vote cast is lawful and valid.

Senate Moving “Help Not Harm” Bill

The Senate has prioritized the ‘Help Not Harm’ bill (H.4624), setting it for special order. This legislation, initially passed by the House, seeks to regulate gender transition procedures for minors, aligning with our commitment to safeguard the well-being of SC’s youth. The bill prohibits healthcare professionals from administering gender transition procedures to individuals under eighteen. It also directs the South Carolina Medicaid Program to cease coverage for these procedures for individuals under twenty-six and bans using public funds for gender-affirming care.

Strengthening Protections Against Antisemitism

I was proud to vote in favor of H.4042, which formally adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism into state law. This critical legislation, now awaiting the governor’s signature, reinforces our state’s firm stance against antisemitism and our commitment to safeguarding the Jewish community from hate crimes.

Education Accountability

To ensure the passage of critical educational legislation during this session, the House Education and Public Works Committee successfully amended key House education bills into various Senate bills. This maneuver aims to expedite the legislative process and enhance the likelihood of these bills becoming law this year. Among the bills amended were the Educator Assistance Act (H.4280), which provides for a permanent State Board of Education-issued certificate and modifies contract withdrawal and breach penalties for educators. These amendments to Senate bills highlight our proactive approach to addressing educational reforms and supporting our educators across the state.

Ag Lands Preservation Act

Governor Henry McMaster held the ceremonial bill signing this past week for the ‘Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act (H. 3951). The legislation creates the Working Farmland Protection Fund that will help landowners preserve working agricultural lands through voluntary conservation easements. Farmers will now have a cost-effective option to keep and pass down their families’ farms while ensuring that our state’s agriculture industry remains strong and our most precious natural resources aren’t lost forever to overdevelopment. The bipartisan bill passed the House 100-7 and the Senate 46-0. 

Hog Chopper

The Senate voted unanimously Thursday to approve the bill that allows hunting feral hogs via helicopter on properties larger than 500 acres. Feral hogs are a significant problem for SC’s farmers because of the damage they wreak on crops. It’s estimated that there are 138,000 wild hogs in the state. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Bill Hixon (R-North Augusta), was sent to Governor McMaster for approval.

And, Finally…

Getting Tough – Well Done

Pro-Palestine protestors at the University of Florida (UF) reportedly decided to end their encampment on campus after the university sent them a notice reminding them of prohibited activities and “Consequences for Non-Compliance.” Free speech and protests are allowed, but camping on campus, disruptions, threats, violence, and weapons can get a student 3-year suspension for trespassing. Faculty can get fired for not complying with the regulations. UF’s Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) chapter labeled the rules “draconian.” It’s simple – follow the same rules as everyone else or face the consequences.

National Day of Prayer

There is no better time to pray for America than in these times. You are invited to join the Aiken National Day of Prayer events this Thursday, May 2. The noon gathering is an open prayer event. It will be in front of the SRP Federal Credit Union on Laurens Street, downtown Aiken. The evening event is a program in the Odell Weeks Center, 1700 Whiskey Road, on Aiken’s south side, at 6:45 pm. The program is entitled “Lift Up the Word, Light Up the World.” Please join others in lifting up this nation in prayer in the name of Jesus.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Culinary Delight: Please tip your cap to South Aiken High School culinary students. They were a hit at the State House Wednesday. They were one of four student teams that won the competition to participate in the annual “Hospitality Day” sponsored by the SC Restaurant & Lodging Association. South Aiken was dishing it up to legislators and State House staff, along with some of the top restaurants across the state. Their culinary teacher, Kimberly Bush, led them.

Want to Know More?

Do you want to learn more about my positions, bill sponsorships, voting record, and past writings? Here are some handy links:

• About Me: https://taylorschouse.com/about-2/
• My Positions: https://taylorschouse.com/issues/
• Sponsored Bill & Voting Record: http://tiny.cc/b1pouz
• Recent Newsletters: https://taylorschouse.com/category/newsletter/

I’m Available & AT YOUR SERVICE 

It is my honor to be of service. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance navigating state government or have any thoughts or concerns about the legislature.

In Your Service,

Email: Bill@taylorschouse.com
www.TaylorSCHouse.com  

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