The Friday Five 1.31.20

Here are a few articles you may missed this week. Take a few minutes and get smarter before church coffee hour this Sunday…

1. Rep. Bobby Cox withdraws from cabinet nomination. Greenville’s Citadel grad, Iraq war vet, Army Ranger, State Representative Bobby Cox withdrew his name from being considered to become South Carolina’s first Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs. A 1937 statue prohibits his appointment to a cabinet level position while serving in the General Assembly. While this circumstance was not anticipated, we are still happy that District 21 is able to retain a strong veteran’s advocate and legislator in the House.
2. Education scholarship increase. Students studying to become teachers may see an increase in LIFE and Palmetto Fellows scholarship funds. As an additional proposal in the current education reform bill, SC law makers hope this new incentive will assist with the state’s teacher shortage. The estimated increase would be an additional $2,500 for LIFE recipients and $3,300 for Palmetto Fellows.
3. Poland set to buy US-made F-35 fighter jets. President Andrzej Duda and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher are set to sign a deal on Friday to have Poland buy 32 fighter jets. The F-35 jets are being purchased to enhance the nation’s air force equipment. We wish they weer F-16s made in Greenville, but….
4. Trade friction impacting GDP. President Trump’s promise to bring the GDP above the 2% growth trend yielded positive results after enacting tax reform and deregulation, but recently plateaued back to the previous levels of the Obama administration. With Chinese trade tensions on pause and the passing of USMCA, the economy may see some relief and further growth heading into 2020.
5. Brexit is here. Today, the United Kingdom is set to leave the European Union. Changes in travel are not expected for Americans. EU citizens may experiences longer wait times in customs lines but that’s all. For American businesses, there shouldn’t be much change in import and export relations, but we urge you contact attorneys or trade consultants for direct guidance on your situation.

BONUS: Man spends $6 million on a Super Bowl ad to thank veterinarian for saving his canine from cancer after being told his dog would only have a month to live. Watch it here.