Dear fellow South Carolinians,

Thank you for subscribing to my weekly e-newsletter, and please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.                                                                    

Protecting our Vulnerable Citizens
Last week, I helped introduce bipartisan legislation to allow March of Dimes to continue its lifesaving work on behalf of all moms and babies. The Protecting Critical Services for Mothers and Babies Act allows March of Dimes to qualify for the same pension funding rules as many other charities and non-profit organizations.

The March of Dimes organization provides some of our most vulnerable citizens, mothers and infants, with crucial support as they face the challenges of raising a child. March of Dimes shouldn’t have to choose between providing a reasonable legacy pension program to its employees or continuing their organizational mission. I am proud to support legislation that will allow March of Dimes to continue its mission of lifesaving research, educational resources, and advocacy efforts.

You can read more about the bill here.

National College Application Month
Last Wednesday, I introduced a resolution designating November as National College Application Month. The resolution urges public officials, educators, parents, students, and communities to observe National College Application Month with activities and programs designed to encourage students to consider, research, and apply to college and for financial aid. It also commends those who support students throughout the college application process and who work to eliminate barriers to higher education.

This National College Application Month, I encourage all students to spend time considering their goals for the future, and I applaud those who are taking steps to apply to institutes of higher education. Education is a sure path to opportunity, and I wish every student who has dreams of continuing their education the very best of luck during this busy season of life.

You can view the resolution here.

Fighting the Health Insurance Tax
I recently wrote a column regarding the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) and its potentially devastating effects beginning in the new year if we do not act. We've delayed the Health Insurance Tax twice already, but if we don't take action by January, this multi-billion dollar tax will affect 142 million Americans' health care coverage. You can read full column here.

Unemployment Rate Record
Good news! Just last week we received another booming report that unemployment in South Carolina has reached an all-time low of 2.6% last month. That’s almost a full percentage point lower since June, and a full point lower than the national rate.

Charleston tied for the lowest rate in United States metro areas with 1.5%, with Greenville, Spartanburg, and Hilton Head trailing right behind at 1.6% and Columbia at 1.7%. The economy is booming like never before, and South Carolina has the numbers to prove it!

 

Sincerely,

Tim