General Assembly Continues to Protect Older South Carolina

Older South Carolinians fared well in the recently adjourned session of the South Carolina General Assembly. A few big ticket issues dominated the calendar including the state budget and the on-going battle as to whether the state would or would not accept federal stimulus funds to shore up an ailing state budget.
 
AARP South Carolina worked hard again this year to secure $2.9 million in funding so that more than 5000 seniors continue to receive their home and community-based services. Sen. Thomas Alexander (R-Oconee) made sure that funding for homes and community based services was included in the budget. One time money was used in this tight budget year will to help keep older South Carolinians independent and able to live in their homes. Home and community-based services cover a wide range of services and programs including home delivered meals, personal care aides, and congruent meal sites.
 
Low income seniors enrolled in the state prescription GAPS plan saw the program’s funding restored to pre-budget level cuts thanks to Representatives Tracy Edge (R - Horry) and Alan Clemmons (R- Horry). GAPS provides valuable prescription drug coverage when participants hit the Part D drug benefit “doughnut hole.” The state health and human services department had previously cut the GAPS program by more than half as a budgetary item.
 
It came down to the last hour of debate for payday lending regulations to pass. In an on-again, off-again compromise, advocates worked tirelessly with Senators Gerald Malloy (D- Darlington), Wes Hayes (R-York), Joel Lourie, (D-Richland), Robert Ford (D-Charleston) and Rep. Alan Clemmons (R- Horry) to pass legislation. When it was all said and done with amendments and strikes, the bill, H3301, that passed will include the creation of a statewide data base, allow only one loan per consumer at a time, but almost doubles the loan amount maximum to $550. The state board of financial review will oversee the data base and be required to make an annual report to the legislature.
 
Rep. Walt McLeod (D-Newberry), Rep. Bill Sandifer (R- Oconee and Chair of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee), and Rep. Joan Brady (R- Richland) worked with AARP and other parties to craft legislation to help those enrolled in driver safety training programs. Senate Bill 202 will reduce the actual classroom instruction time for AARP’s Driver Safety Program from eight hours to six and mandate that graduates receive a reduction in their auto insurance premiums. The bill was not passed out of the Senate prior to adjournment.
 
The state’s lowest in the nation cigarette tax will remain just that after several attempts this year to increase it by 50 cents. The House, led by Speaker Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston) and Rep. Rex Rice, (R- Pickens) overwhelmingly passed a bill that would use the proceeds from the tax to help low income workers with health insurance. The Senate failed to pass the House version and got stuck on what to do with the new revenue. Sen. Thomas Alexander (R-Oconee) continued to champion the fight to increase the state’s cigarette tax.