McMASTER TO TOUT “BOLD” AGENDA FUNDED BY BILLS SC REPUBLICANS OPPOSED
COLUMBIA, SC — Tonight Governor McMaster is set to deliver a hyper-partisan account of the state of the state. Let’s be clear, the governor’s agenda is funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which was opposed by every South Carolina Republican. For decades, South Carolina’s infrastructure has been completely neglected. Thankfully, Democrats in Washington delivered for South Carolinians when they needed it most with the American Rescue Plan and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The State of South Carolina under Henry McMaster:
- Soft on crime: In November, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division released their 2020 crime report. Under Henry’s leadership, murder rates increased 22.1% and the rate of aggravated assaults grew 10.1%. Over the past 5 years of Republican control, the murder rate has soared 52.9%.
- Historic increase in teacher vacancies: According to The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement, teacher vacancies rose over 50% from last year.
- Defunding public schools: Amid the worst teacher shortage ever, South Carolina Republicans are working to defund public schools by taking $3 billion for voucher programs.
- COVID Failure: South Carolina ranks third in average daily covid cases per capita. Currently, 15 school districts and 34 individual schools across the state are operating remotely due to covid surges affecting students and teachers.
- Lack of accessible healthcare: Republican refusal to expand Medicaid (95% of the cost is paid for by the federal government) has left 345,000 South Carolinas without health insurance.
“Every South Carolina Republican opposed the bills that are the basis of our state’s budget, programs, and recovery for the next year,” said SCDP Chair Trav Robertson, Jr. “We will not let Henry take any credit for this, as his party has obstructed every step of the way. It is ironic that Henry is trying to fix his failures by using money his Republican colleagues opposed.
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