STATE BUDGET – The Senate began debate on the state budget last Monday, and the discussion continued through Thursday afternoon. The total state budget – made up of the General Fund (income taxes, sales taxes, corporate taxes), Federal Funds (primarily for education, Medicaid, and roads), and “Other” Funds (fines, fees, etc.) – will likely be just over $24 billion. When the General Assembly debates the budget, though, most of the attention focuses on the General Fund because Federal Funds and Other Funds are usually already directed by other laws.
The General Fund budget for 2013-2014 is expected to be $6.6-6.7 billion. There is roughly $683 million in “new” money this year: $328 million in recurring funds (expected to be available each year) and $355 million in nonrecurring, or one-time, funds. The “new” money came from a surplus in the current budget, funds from the multi-state tobacco settlement, and revenue set aside by the constitution for capital projects.
The discussion last week focused primarily on funding for roads and bridges. Although everyone recognizes that our infrastructure needs more work, there’s clearly a split in the Senate about how to pay for it. In several very close votes last week, the Senate refused to use any of the surplus funds for roads and bridges.
I expect this week’s debate to focus on whether to expand the Medicaid program pursuant to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and whether to allow tax credits for school choice.
I will keep you updated.
SC UNEMPLOYMENT RATE LOWEST IN 5 YEARS – Last week the Department of Employment and Workforce announced SC’s jobless rate had fallen to 8%. While 8% is still too high, it is the lowest in 5 years and moving in the right direction. Here’s an article from The State discussing the new numbers.
- On Friday, I spoke with a government class at Lexington High School. We had a great discussion about some of the major issues facing South Carolina!
- On Sunday, I spoke at a service honoring Edgefield County’s first responders. It was a great service, and I really appreciated the opportunity to say “thank you.”
- On Sunday afternoon I attended a ceremony honoring a couple of great educators from Saluda High School: Ms. Bela Herlong and Mr. Paul Johnson. Ms. Herlong was SC’s Teacher of the Year in 1967, and Mr. Johnson was a finalist for SC Teacher of the Year this year. I was also glad to see Dr. David Mathis, Saluda’s superintendent, who was a finalist for this year’s Superintendent of the Year. Saluda County is doing a great job in education!
- On Sunday night I attended the 156th anniversary celebration for Trinity Community Church in Edgefield. I really enjoyed the community-wide service.
Constituent Interests
GREAT WEEKEND FOR LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL – On Friday, Lexington High School’s nationally-ranked baseball team finished off a 28-5 season by winning the 4A state championship. On Saturday, the Wildcats’ boys’ soccer team fell in an historical state championship match with Irmo: neither team scored in the regulation and overtime periods, with Irmo pulling out the victory on penalty kicks (4-3). Here are articles about the baseball championship and the soccer match. Congratulations, Wildcats, on great seasons!
BLAIR NAMED SC BAR’S 2013 LAW RELATED EDUCATION ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR – Please forgive me for a brief moment of bragging. My wife, Blair, was recently named the SC Bar’s Law Related Education Attorney of the Year for her work with the mock trial programs at Strom Thurmond High School, J.E.T. Middle School, and Merriwether Middle School! Blair volunteers a tremendous amount of time each year, working with high school and middle school students. This statewide award is well-deserved! Here’s an article The Aiken Standard wrote about the award.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS – It’s graduation season, and I congratulate all 2013 seniors for a significant accomplishment! McCormick High School held commencement this past Friday. Here’s a list of other high school graduations in our district. Please let me know if I’ve missed any.
King Academy
Friday, May 24 – 7:00 p.m.
Wardlaw Academy
Friday, May 24 – 7:00 p.m.
Saluda High School
Friday, May 31 – 7:30 p.m.
Aiken High School
Thursday, June 6 – 2:00p.m.
Fox Creek High School
Thursday, June 6 – 7:00p.m.
Midland Valley High School
Friday, June 7 – 9:00a.m.
Ridge Spring-Monetta High School
Friday, June 7 – 3:00p.m.
North Augusta High School
Friday, June 7 – 6:00p.m.
Strom Thurmond High School
Friday, June 7 – 7:00p.m.
Batesburg-Leesville High School
Friday, June 7 – 8:00p.m.
Lexington High School
Saturday, June 8 – 8:30a.m.
Gilbert High School
Saturday, June 8 – 6:00p.m.
OUR SENATE DISTRICT – Senate district 25 consists of all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the district map, go here.
VOTING RECORD – If you’d like to see how I voted last week, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, www.senatormassey.com, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.
SPEAKING WITH GROUPS – Several groups, clubs, and classes around our Senate district have invited me to attend their meetings and provide legislative updates. If you would like for me to come speak with your group, please let me know.
EMAIL UPDATES – If you know of people in or around District 25 who do not receive my updates but would like to get them, please email their names and email addresses to me. You can also forward this email to them and encourage them to sign up for the updates at www.senatormassey.com.
Sincerely,
Shane Massey
P.O. Box 551
Edgefield, SC 29824
Email – shanemassey@scsenate.gov
Cell Phone – (803) 480-0419
P.S. Please visit www.senatormassey.com for more posts, news, and video updates. Also, please “friend” me on Facebook www.facebook.com/shanemassey.sc and follow me on Twitter (@shanemassey).