SC lawmakers discuss successes and challenges faced during current legislative session

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — With the crossover deadline coming up in a couple of weeks and the end of the legislative session looming in May, lawmakers at the statehouse are busy at work.

Many bills have already been signed into law, but there are many more topics to be debating in the next few weeks.

“What we all know is that while the state has a 14 billion dollar budget, that comes nowhere close to meeting all of the needs in our state,” said Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a Democrat from Orangeburg.

One of the needs Cobb-Hunter supports investing in includes improving the roads and bridges in her district. 

“I-26 is a parking lot most of the time. My priorities include economic development and infrastructure, making sure that our roads are safe and people are able to go back and forth,” Cobb-Hunter said.

However, the long-serving Democrat was not pleased with the Constitutional Carry Bill that was passed nor the School Choice Bill, which she says sends money to private schools that should instead be going to public schools. 

“I have absolutely no problem with parents who want to send their kids to private schools,” Cobb-Hunter said. “My problem is using taxpayer dollars to do it.”

Over in the Senate, Republican Luke Rankin is pleased with several things lawmakers have accomplished so far this legislative session.

“We’re trying to amp up Read to Succeed with our superintendent of education,” Sen. Rankin said. “Criminal penalties and enhanced penalties for folks who are repeat offenders violating gun laws. We have also reformed how we select judges. That’s recently been done.”

Even with all the bills already passed, Rankin believes one key area in the state needs addressed. 

“Energy policy. We have got to figure out how to create a generation of energy in South Carolina,” said the senator from Horry County. “We’re growing like mad. We can’t just grow for tomorrow but grow for today and tomorrow.”