Teacher salaries, hate crimes and LGBTQ rights are on lawmakers agenda this week. Author: Julia Kauffman (WLTX) Updated: 7:59 PM EST March 8, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. State lawmakers are discussing several important topics this week including teacher salaries, hate crimes and LGBTQ rights. Below are three bills to keep an eye on.
First, House Bill 3609 aims to unfreeze teacher salary step increases. Supporters are hoping this bill hits the Governor’s desk this week.
It resumes teachers’ regular salary bumps that were put on hold last year due to the pandemic. Teachers have been pushing to reinstate the pay raises, saying it’s unfair to take away their promised money during this strenuous time.
Still no movement on bill prioritizing coronavirus vaccines for teachers
A bill that bumps teachers up to Phase 1A of South Carolina s vaccine plan has stalled in a House subcommittee. Author: Julia Kauffman (WLTX) Updated: 11:07 PM EST February 24, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. A bill that bumps teachers up to Phase 1A of South Carolina s vaccine plan quickly moved through the Senate, but is now stalled in a House subcommittee.
With only a few months left in the school year, many teachers are hoping to get vaccinated before it ends. We’ve got to get our teachers vaccinated so our students have a stable learning environment for the rest of the year, said Patrick Kelly with the Palmetto State Teacher s Association.
Lawmakers discuss bills to move teachers to Phase 1A of vaccine rollout
Lawmakers discuss bills to move teachers to Phase 1A of vaccine rollout By Emily Wakeman | February 16, 2021 at 9:26 PM EST - Updated February 17 at 6:03 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - On Tuesday, legislators discussed two bills that would move teachers and school staff into Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout.
Last week the Senate unanimously passed a bill that would move teachers and staff up to receive the vaccine. The House introduced a similar bill.
âMy initial reaction was disappointment that the Governor didnât consider this in the beginning,â House Minority Leader Rep. Todd Rutherford said ahead of the committee meeting. âThereâs so many peopleâs lives that hinge on teachers getting these vaccines, and of course teachers need to be moved up. At this point, if we donât, we canât safely start schools. A lot of school districts simply wonât do it, so we have to