GOOD NEWS: New book highlights how S.C. can do better

Editor and publisher Andy Brack has a new book of selected columns since 2014 that delve into how South Carolina can do better to help people through politics and the governing process.

We Can Do Better, South Carolina! offers incisive commentaries on the American South, the common good and interesting South Carolina leaders, such as former U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings, civil rights advocate Septima Clark, former S.C. Gov. David Beasley and more.  There also are discussions on civil rights struggles with which the Palmetto State continues to grapple. as well as commentaries on politics, governments, the hangovers of South Carolina’s past and her future opportunities.

The 227-page book ends with a discussion of Palmetto Priorities — columns related to Statehouse Report’s continuing push for state lawmakers to adopt a broad agenda for reform throughout government.  Included are discussions on education, tax reform, environmental justice and more.

We Can Do Better, South Carolina! is available exclusively as a Kindle book for $7.99.  Click here to purchase a Kindle copy.  A paperback version will be ready for order in the next week.

• If you have a comment or questions about the book, please let us know at:  editor@charlestoncurrents.com

In recent Good News:

Library job fair.  The Charleston County Public Library, which will open five new libraries in the months ahead, is seeking customer service professionals at an April 20 job fair. It will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 20 at the Main Library, 68 Calhoun St., Charleston.  Learn more or apply online at: http://www/ccpl.org/careers.

Summer Youth Program.  Charleston County government is accepting applications for the 2019 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The program provides teenagers and young adults who reside in Charleston County an opportunity to develop workplace readiness skills, provide exposure to the work world, and gain experience in the operations of county government.  The program lasts for six weeks, from June 21 to August 1. Graduation will be held August 2. Hours worked are typically 4 hours each day, 5 days a week, 20 hours per week / 120 total hours. The application deadline is April 21 at midnight or until 125 applications have been received, whichever occurs first. To apply, click here: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/syep/application.php

Big fundraiser.  This year’s annual NEEDTOBREATHE Classic raised more than $300,000 for OneWorld Health – far surpassing the $200,000 the event brought in last year, according to a press release.  Each year, musicians, athletes and actors join southern rock band NEEDTOBREATHE for a charity golf classic at the Daniel Island Club, plus an auction and concert in support of OneWorld Health. The Charleston-based nonprofit empowers communities around the world to achieve long-term improvements in health and quality of life. OneWorld Health has built 12 medical clinics in Uganda and Nicaragua, helping more than 310,000 patients receive life-saving medical care.  The annual charity golf tournament was started by Commonwealth Cares Foundation, the charitable foundation of Daniel Island financial services firm Commonwealth Financial. In 2013, NEEDTOBREATHE partnered with Commonwealth Cares Foundation, lending its name to the golf tournament and adding a musical concert.

Tax reform in 2020.  Statehouse Report’s Lindsay Street says there’s a quiet but “committed” push toward extensive tax reform in the state as GOP leaders hope to pass changes by the end of the 2020 legislative session. Democrats are more skeptical.  Read the full story.

House on break this week. Members of the S.C. House are on break this week, and the Senate will not convene until Wednesday.  The body of former S.C. Gov. and U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings will lie in state at the Capitol Monday, followed by an 11 a.m.  Tuesday funeral in Summerall Chapel at The Citadel. Parking will be in Hampton Park. Memorializing Hollings, may push the Senate’s debate of the budget into Good Friday, according to S.C. Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington.