School forgiveness legislation hits another snag

The School Forgiveness Bill hit another snag Thursday, as the state Senate was unable to resolve an amendment tacked on the bill Wednesday by the state House.

Meanwhile, funding flexibility legislation appears to be moving full speed ahead toward eventual passage.

State Sen. Thomas Alexander, who represents Oconee County and a portion of Pickens County, said the House-amended version of the School Forgiveness Bill, which now includes homeschooled and private school students, has created a snag. As a result, the Senate employed a procedural tactic that delays action until next Tuesday at the earliest. Read more

House passes School Forgiveness Legislation, with amendment

The School Forgiveness Bill took another twist Wednesday as the State House of Representatives gave its approval, but not before tacking on an amendment that must now go back to the state Senate.

Sen. Thomas Alexander, who represents Oconee County and a portion of Pickens County, said the Senate is studying the House-amended version of the School Forgiveness Bill, which now includes home-schooled and private school students. Read more

Senate committee OKs funding flexibility

Educators requesting flexibility to address increasing cuts in education funding are another step closer to seeing their wish come true.

The full Senate Finance Committee Wednesday passed a bill providing school districts with the freedom to delay contract renewals, furlough teachers to avoid layoffs, postpone certain assessment tests and shift money around to soften budget cuts.

Final passage by the full Senate is expected by the end of next week. Read more

Disabilities agency may have acted as quickly as it could, senator says

A state senator who played a key role in creating an early intervention program for autistic children said Thursday that a state agency criticized for not using appropriated money for the services may have acted as swiftly as it could given the obstacles it faced.

Sen. Thomas Alexander of Walhalla told The Greenville News that while he still has questions about how long it took the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, agency officials have told his subcommittee that it took time to get the funding, federal approvals and the necessary certifications to begin offering the service to families with autistic children. Read more

School forgiveness legislation one step closer to Senate approval

Legislation forgiving recent school cancellations statewide due to inclement weather moved one step closer to reality Wednesday as the State Senate approved the second of three readings.

Although the Senate was unable to take a third reading Thursday, it is expected to occur when the Senate reconvenes March 17.

“The House would have to agree to a couple of amendments,” said State Sen. Thomas Alexander, who represents Oconee County and a portion of Pickens County. The primary amendment, offered by State Sen. Brad Hutto, of Orangeburg, would waive up to three missed school days throughout the state for any reason as determined by the local school districts. Read more

Three Upstate GOPers respond to Sanford’s stimulus stand

Gov. Mark Sanford’s plan to use the funds from the stimulus package have several state legislators from the ultra-conservative Upstate scratching their heads — Sen. Thomas Alexander (R-Wallhalla), Rep. Bill Sandifer (R-Seneca,) and Sen. Larry Martin (R-Pickens) — according to a recent Daily Journal (Seneca) report.

Says Sandifer:

“Although I agree to a point philosophically with him, he did not make his wishes known to us until we were nearly finished with the budget, so we’ve had to make our decisions based upon the guidelines that were presented to us from the federal level,” Sandifer said.

“He waits until we’ve finished it, and then says ‘I don’t want you to spend it that way.’ That’s extremely frustrating to us.”

And Alexander:

“Anytime we can pay down debt, that’s a sound principal. But in these economic times, if doing that is going to take away funds for education, I can’t support that,” Alexander said. “Our best investment is providing for our students. I would not support paying down the debt rather than help us through these challenges.” Read more

A ray of hope for those threatened by hospice cuts

State agrees to maintain care for South Carolinians on Medicaid

Want to get rid of a cold?

Swallow a tablespoon of sugar — mixed with kerosene.

Bruce Renwick of Whitmire throws out odd wives’ tales to his hospice social worker, Laura Welsh-Davidson, making her laugh (and cringe just a little bit, too.)

A victim of a debilitating and fatal neurological disorder that affects his muscles, Renwick is always looking for little things to say and do to keep his spirits up and entertain the team of hospice workers who stop by his home to bathe, clothe and take care of his medical needs.

He got a big dose of good news Tuesday. End-of-life hospice care for Renwick — and other South Carolinians who rely on Medicaid — will not be eliminated this year, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services and state Sen. Thomas Alexander, R-Oconee. Read more