Legislative Session Weekly Update, April 22-24
The South Carolina Senate voted 33–8 to remove State Treasurer Curtis Loftis from office following a $1.8 billion accounting error. The discrepancy, stemming from unbalanced entries during a decade-old system transition, accumulated in a special account until discovered by forensic accountants. Loftis is accused of incompetence, neglecting duties, and failing to report the error to lawmakers. He denies wrongdoing, asserting no funds were lost and attributing the issue to other agencies. The House must now also pass a two-thirds vote to finalize his removal. If successful, this would mark the first removal of a state official through such proceedings in South Carolina’s 235-year history.
The Week in Review (April 22-24)
Senate Bill 425, which expands access to free meals for students living in poverty, passed out of the House Agriculture subcommittee. WREN is proud to partner with Wholespire, a leader in the fight to ensure all students receive healthy meals, end meal shaming, and reduce hunger in South Carolina. Food insecurity disproportionately impacts women and children, making access to nutritious school meals essential for students’ health, academic success, and future opportunities. Tell your legislators to keep children fed in South Carolina by clicking our link here.
Anti-abortion protesters held a two-hour rally at the Statehouse to pressure lawmakers into passing a so-called “personhood” bill, a dangerous proposal that would ban all abortion in South Carolina and could also threaten access to IVF and other reproductive health care. This bill would take away even more of our rights and control over our bodies and families. Lawmakers need to hear from YOU. Now is the time to speak out! Contact your legislators through this action link and tell them to OPPOSE this harmful legislation.
The House Regulations Committee was slated to review childcare regulations, but members voted to send the package back to the Department of Social Services for further study after some lawmakers who own or have worked in childcare centers raised concerns. We’re monitoring the process closely to ensure nothing jeopardizes families’ access to highquality, affordable care. Click our action link here to tell lawmakers to support Senate Bill 47 and put affordable child care at the top of their agenda!
Moving Forward:
The Senate Medical Affairs Committee will take up Senate Bill 477, a muchneeded tweak to the Pharmacy Access Act. The original law was supposed to let pharmacists dispense contraceptives directly to patients, but a misinterpretation has thrown up roadblocks, leaving many without the timely, affordable birth control they deserve. WREN backs this fix so the law can finally deliver on its promise: convenient, onthespot access to contraception for everyone who needs it. Stand with us and click our action link to urge lawmakers to pass S.477.
House Bill 3645 is now on the House debate calendar. This bill would give all South Carolina state employees up to 12 weeks of paid family leave. This time is essential for parents to recover from childbirth, bond with a new child, or care for a seriously ill loved one without losing income. Tell your representative to vote yes on H. 3645 by clicking our action link.
Together, we can advocate for a more equitable future for women and girls in South Carolina.