Friday 5: 1-14-22

Happy Friday! The first week of session ended with some interesting headlines, snow coming this weekend, and more earthquakes in Columbia (no comment on that one). Here are a handful of articles that you may have missed this past week. There is a lot going on statewide and nationally, so buckle up! Pour yourself a hot cup of tea and take some time to catch up on the news…

1. SC House advances congressional maps. This week, the South Carolina House of Representatives approved a version of a redistricting proposal that would leans heavily toward the GOP. Does this reflect gerrymandering or the way our state is growing? Our guess is that a court will decide that question. This map increases the number of Republican voters in existing red districts, as well as democratic votes in the sole, deep-blue Sixth District.
2. Sinema Says She Will Not Support Changing Filibuster Sinema spoke on the floor this past week saying that although she supported the two newest voting protection laws, she believes that a unilateral democratic push will only polarize the senate further. This lack of partisan support creates a new obstacle for the voting rights bills.
3. Some schools in SC districts go virtual as COVID decimates staff, substitutes Since the start of the spring 2022 semester, public schools in South Carolina have been hit with high numbers of absences due to Covid-19. Staff and students alike are having to stay home due to the surge of cases. Nearly 25 schools in the state have switched to virtual learning so far.
4. Legislature’s plate is overloaded this year Legislators returned to Columbia on Tuesday to jump into the 2022 session. Legislators will be dealing with budget proposals, redistricting, Covid-19 mandates, medical marijuana and much more. With the primary elections approaching, the SC legislature has a lot on its plate.
5. SC snowstorm? Snow accumulation possible this weekend, according to forecast Is Greenville really going to get some snow?

Make sure to bundle up and break out the hot cocoa this weekend, we are in for a chilly one! Stay safe and warm!