The House of Representatives finished its version of the $7.2 billion state budget in two and a half days. Meanwhile the Senate Finance Subcommittees are still meeting to hear requests from state agencies. This past week, the subcommittee of which I am a member heard from the Departments of Mental Health and Disabilities and Special Needs. Next week we hear from the Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Commission of the Blind. In addition to hearing a formal presentation given to the subcommittee, we often also meet individually with the heads of the various agencies. When we face a year with a $200 million shortfall as we do this year, it is important that we pay very careful attention to the requests made by the agencies, but remain mindful of the programs that provide necessary services to our citizens.

During the last week it was brought to my attention that the Department of Social Services (DSS) voucher program will be cut by nearly 900 slots. The House budget was passed before Ways and Means members were made aware of this draconian cut.

About half of the $6 million cut in the DSS budget came from a program that currently provides nearly 22,000 child care vouchers for women on welfare programs who are required to go to work and parents living below the poverty level. Foster parents and women living in shelters who earn less than 65% of the federal poverty level, or about $930 monthly for a family of three may also be among those receiving the temporary child care assistance. Last year the General Assembly added 1,600 vouchers at a cost of $5.2 million. The Senate will attempt to restore the program to last year's level.

The Governor, who was instrumental in increasing the program last year, is also hoping to restore the vouchers. The Senate spent two days on a discussion of whether to outlaw common law marriage.

Sen. Luke Rankin held the floor on the bill because of his deeply held belief that there are situations where this law protects one or the other of the partners financially. Several attempts to sit him down were unsuccessful because proponents of the change in the law did not have enough votes. In the Senate, even when we plan to vote for a bill, most of us will not vote to sit down one of our colleagues.

It is a courtesy that allows time to work out compromises if possible. Sometimes no compromise is possible and we will change our votes. That has happened yet, so the legislation was carried over in the status of adjourned debate, not to be taken up before March 19th.

I co-sponsored a bill that amends the South Carolina Children's Trust Fund by eliminating duplicative duties of the organization and revising its governance. The Board of Trustees becomes a Board of Directors with seventeen members, eleven at-large appointed by the governor from nominees made by the current board members, plus one member from each of the state’s congressional districts. The bill will also delete various qualifications for service on the Board of Directors and term limits on service. The hope is that the Trust Fund will become more effective in its efforts to eliminate child abuse in South Carolina.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you as your State Senator. It is my privilege and I will strive to do the best job I can for you. Please feel free to contact me on any issue. I can be reached at my home address, 120 W. End Street, Chester, S. C., 29706 or at my legislative office in Columbia, Post Office Box 142, Columbia, S. C. 29202. 803-212-6148, or through my Email address - LHS@scsenate.org.