Last week was the 14th week of the 2021 legislative session. There are 4 legislative weeks remaining before the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on May 13, 2021.
The Senate spent little time on the floor last week to allow the Senate Finance Committee to complete its work on the state budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The full Senate will debate the budget next week, the week of April 27.
Here are the highlights from last week’s limited floor action in the Senate:
BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR REALTORS – The legislature passed legislation in 2014 to require realtors to pass background checks before receiving licenses. Last week, the Senate passed H.3664 2021-2022 Bill 3664: Criminal background checks – South Carolina Legislature Online (scstatehouse.gov), a bill that would allow the use of social security numbers in those background checks. The bill will now go to the governor.
ELECTION INTEGRITY– I have heard from many of you about concerns regarding election integrity in South Carolina. Last year proved that South Carolina’s election laws are strong in minimizing fraud but also ensure all eligible voters have an opportunity to cast a ballot. Those laws are only as strong as those who are charged with defending them, though. I wrote this opinion piece last week to express my thoughts on what needs to be done. Opinion: These South Carolina election law issues must be fixed – Shane Massey for State Senate (senatormassey.com)
SANTEE COOPER – I expect the Senate will spend time this week debating the future of Santee Cooper. I will update you next week on how that debate goes.
COVID Information
Testing Sites – You can find COVID testing locations near you here.
How do I get the vaccine? – DHEC has updated its list of vaccine locations here.
In addition to the locations identified on the map, in our area you can request vaccines through the following local hospital websites:
Abbeville Area Medical Center – Important Coronavirus Information | Abbeville Area Medical Center (abbevilleareamc.com)
Aiken Regional Medical Centers – COVID-19 Vaccine | Aiken Regional Medical Centers
AU Health – COVID-19 Phase 1a Vaccination (augustahealth.org)
Lexington Medical Center – COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Vaccine | Lexington Medical Center (lexmed.com)
Self Regional Healthcare – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information, Prevention and Preparedness – Self Regional Healthcare | Greenwood, SC
For those who do not have internet access, DHEC launched a new phone number – 866-365-8110 – that is staffed with 240 operators to answer calls 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and help schedule vaccine appointments.
Appointments should be scheduled because walk ins may not be able to receive the vaccine.
Constituent Interests
SCDOT ROAD PROJECTS – SCDOT has an interactive map to allow citizens to see the road and bridge projects going on around the state. You can see that map here.
How is the gas tax being used? – SCDOT’s website allows you to view a detailed revenue statement and project list that is funded by the Infrastructure Maintenance Trust Fund (IMTF). SCDOT updates this site monthly as the revenue comes in. You can see that report here.
WANT TO SEE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ACTION? – The Senate meets in statewide session on Tuesdays at 12:00, Wednesdays at 1:00, and Thursdays at 11:00. Committees and subcommittees meet Wednesday mornings and Thursday mornings. You can watch live coverage of the Senate, House of Representatives, and committees here.
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’ve voted on issues, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, 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 and follow me on Twitter (@shanemassey).