Dear Friends:
While the regular session of the SC legislature ended May 9, work continues at the State House. We returned to session last week for the critical task of electing a new State Supreme Court Justice.
“Madam Justice“
In a joint assembly, Senators and Representatives unanimously elected Court of Appeals Judge Letitia Verdin to the SC Supreme Court. That makes her the third woman in Palmetto State history to serve on the top bench. She will be the only woman among the five Justices.
Facing the judiciary’s mandatory retirement age of 72, Chief Justice Don Beatty retires late this summer. In March, Justice John Kittredge was elected the new Chief Justice. Verdin was elected to fill Kittredge’s current seat.
Verdin was among three candidates seeking election to the State Supreme Court. As often happens, the other two withdrew from the race when they determined they didn’t have sufficient legislative support.
At age 53, if she continues to seek reelection, Verdin could serve on the high court until 2043 (when she would hit the retirement age).
She is a USC School of Law graduate with an impressive judicial resume, having served as a family court judge, a circuit court judge, and on the Court of Appeals.
Former Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal praised Verdin as highly qualified, kind, and hardworking. Similar comments from hundreds of attorneys in anonymous surveys were submitted to the state’s judicial vetting commission earlier this year.
CHE’s New Chief
The SC Commission on Higher Education (CHE) voted to select Dr. Jeffrey Perez as the CHE’s next President and
Executive Director. Perez has 25 years of dynamic higher education leadership in three states, including 16 years in SC. Perez is president and CEO of SC Independent Colleges and Universities, overseeing advocacy, fundraising, and campus support initiatives for SCICU’s 21 member institutions and 36,000 students. Perez has chaired the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
Santee Cooper Proposes Rate Changes
Today, the Santee Cooper Board of Directors received proposed rate changes and approved a month-long public comment process so customers can review and provide input on those proposed changes. Learn More.
Legislature Still Working
The work of the legislature is far from finished. Conference committees are meeting to resolve differences in more than 20 bills passed in different versions in both the House and Senate. The most critical of those bills is the state budget scheduled to take effect July 1. We will return to legislative session next week and again on June 26 to finish up.
Lost Mail
I suspect you may be frustrated with the mail service. You’re not alone. Lost mail. Long-delayed mail. It’s currently at the top of complaints from Aiken County constituents. It’s a federal issue, not a state. USPS is a quasi-federal agency overrun with union employees. They raise postal rates and still beg Congress for bailouts using your taxpayer dollars.
USPS reorganization is the latest culprit. Instead of Aiken County mail being processed in Augusta, it now goes to Atlanta and may never be seen again. One report revealed that only 36% of inbound mail to the Atlanta Processing Center was delivered on time at the end of February. Congressional leaders are pressing for fixes. The Postmaster General says steps are being taken to remedy the situation. (Read news report) That fix can’t happen too quickly!
Rally in the Alley
On a recent Saturday, Aiken County Republicans held their ‘Rally in the Alley’ ahead of tomorrow’s Primary Election. Voters gathered their lawn chairs in the historic downtown Aiken Alley to hear candidates address issues. I’m unopposed, so I focused on our disgraceful national politics.
I told those gathered that I wasn’t angry following the Trump verdict in his political show trial because I expected the outcome in the NYC liberal cauldron. Instead, I experienced a deep wave of sadness over the depth of political corruption in our nation.
Corrupt Washington Democrats, Socialists, American elites, and the Globalists seek to crush Donald Trump along with “We the People.”
I believe those propelling LAWFARE have miscalculated the resilience of everyday Americans. I predicted a political revival is brewing to save America. The next five months and the year beyond will be chaotic, challenging, and alarming, but with God’s help, we will witness the rebirth of America.
Thank You, Mr. President
VOTE TOMORROW!
Simply put, I believe you lose the right to complain about the government if you fail to vote. Many races are decided in the June Primary because the winner has no opponent in the November General Election. When voters fail to show up to vote in a Primary Election, they are allowing the few who do vote to decide for them.
In Aiken County, I am proud to endorse Sheriff candidate Marty Sawyer, a veteran lawman who has served 35 years with Aiken Public Safety, and House District 81 Republican candidate Charlie Hartz. I look forward to serving with Charlie in the next legislative session.
ELECTION ALERT! Polling Changes
Because of a shortage of trained poll workers, the Aiken County Election Office announced this afternoon that they are consolidating four precincts for tomorrow’s Primary Election. In House District 86, Perry residents will vote in Wagener. The three other precincts are in the Valley and North Augusta.
Around House District 86
Honoring Two Captains
Sunday, at the Salvation Army church service in Aiken, we said farewell to Captains April and Randull Tiller. Their tour of duty as corps officers and pastors overseeing the Salvation Army for Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, and Edgefield Counties has ended after six years. It was my honor to present the couple with a Resolution passed by the SC House of Representatives praising their many accomplishments. April is a ‘force of nature’ in the mission to serve people experiencing homelessness. Randull is a steady Marine veteran dedicated to supporting the Salvation Army mission. They are a dynamic duo serving God and those in need.
AMIkids
There are unique events that I am fortunate to attend that warm my heart and bring a continual smile to my face. That was this week on the campus of SC State. It was the AMIkids awards ceremony. These troubled teenagers from three states are turning their lives around. Our son, Ryan Taylor, the Executive Director of the Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter in Lexington, was my “wingman” in providing the AMIkids with a motivational pep-talk.
More Road Money
SC Department of Transportation Commission has approved an additional $719 million for the 2025 Pavement Improvement Plan. The funds will be added to the previously invested $3.6 billion in pavement improvements across the State since the Strategic 10-Year plan was implemented. According to SCDOT, the new plan will add another 727 miles of roadway to the more than 8,800 miles of completed and ongoing road work.
The 2025 Pavement Improvement Program rehabilitates major roads, primary routes, secondary routes, and neighborhood streets. Aiken County will receive $20 million, and Lexington County.
125th Legislative Session (’23-’24)
Bills Signed into Law
For those keeping score, I have prepared a comprehensive list of legislation signed into law during this two-year session. A few more bills are expected to cross the finish line as conference committees work out their differences on some of the 20+ remaining bills.
The summary includes critical issues like the Heartbeat Bill, school choice (ESAs), the breaking up of DHEC, Constitutional Carry, bond reform, sweeping improvements to workforce development, protecting state pension from ESG, protecting minors from transgender medical procedures, and eliminating Certificate of Need to make healthcare more competitive.
The 25-page summary also includes the establishment of the SC State Seabird and the creation of Clog Dancing Day in SC, among other issues. Click Here for the Legislative Summary
SC BEST STATE – According to a recent Wallet Hub study
“South Carolina is the BEST STATE for military retirees, partly because it has many policies to help veterans. The State allows businesses to give preferential hiring to veterans, offers academic credit for military service, and has veteran treatment courts, which provide services like treatment and mentoring to veterans in the criminal justice system. South Carolina doesn’t tax military pensions, either.
The Palmetto State has the fourth-best VA hospitals in the country and the third-most hospitals per capita, which can help ensure that military retirees stay healthy. In addition, South Carolina has the seventh-most veterans per capita and the fourth-most veteran-owned businesses per capita, which indicates that military retirees have good social and business opportunities.
Finally, South Carolina has the sixth-best job growth rate in the country, so veterans may find it easy to get work after their service if they choose to.”
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
A family moment. Sunday, Donna and I joined family members to celebrate the 3rd birthday of our only grandson, Heath. He’s all about monster trucks!
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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