COLUMBIA, SC — Through the American Rescue Plan, Democrats delivered historic relief for South Carolina cities and municipalities. The plan allocates $2.6 billion in state fiscal relief and $1.6 billion in local fiscal relief for the Palmetto State. These funds may be used in a variety of ways and they provide necessary resources to our local communities that have been hard hit due to COVID-19.
Instead of getting this crucial relief that has already been allocated to local governments, Henry McMaster is dragging his feet and hurting our communities. By refusing to formally request the federal funding, McMaster is putting South Carolina municipalities in jeopardy. McMaster MUST direct the Department of Administration and all of his appointees to request these funds today.
“For someone who has spent the majority of the pandemic refusing to exhibit any leadership and relying on our local governments to institute mask mandates, he surely is reversing course and actively limiting the power of local leaders,” said SCDP Chair Trav Robertson, Jr. “Thankfully Democrats in Washington are looking out for South Carolina’s municipalities. Why is Henry holding up the money? Is he really going to stall millions of dollars in crucial aid to score political points, just as he did with medicaid expansion? Henry is failing to deliver.”
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