NEWS BRIEFS: State’s public health agency overwhelmed, underfunded

The headquarters of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control in Columbia, S.C.

Staff reports  |  North Charleston Democratic Rep. Wendell Gilliard described the state Department of Health and Environmental Control as chronically short-staffed and underfunded in a Friday story in sister publication Statehouse Report.  He said while testing supplies were a nationwide issue, the state agency struggled with responding to public needs. 

“When this situation took place, it just added insult to injury,” he said. “They weren’t ready for this and we, as lawmakers, did not help prepare them for this. The blame should be on us.”

But, state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Kershaw, said Republican Gov. Henry McMaster and leadership in the General Assembly have worked to bring back adequate levels of funding since 2017. 

“For 12-plus years, these agencies were brought to the brink of dysfunction,” Sheheen said. “We’re reaping what we sowed … Now, with the economic downturn, it’s going to be even harder to bring it back.”

In other recent news:

Homeless to Hope telethon is a success.  Last week’s Homeless to Hope Fund benefit telethon and concert raised more than $170,000 to fuel assistance to homeless individuals and their families as they transition into permanent housing throughout the Lowcountry.  Learn more.

New joint venture.  Marine Terminals Corporation – East, Ceres Marine Terminals Inc., and SSA Atlantic LLC on May 4 opened Charleston Stevedoring Company LLC (CSC), a new joint venture to provide container terminal and stevedoring services in the Port of Charleston. 

“The new entity will provide significant benefits to the Port of Charleston, including improved container terminal services through the consolidated operations at all berths, as well as more efficient vessel turn times and improved equipment utilization,” CSC President Dan Hall said in a statement. “The combined company will optimize use of terminal capacity and improve integration between terminal, vessel and gate operations.”

CSC’s mission is to provide a secure, safe and stable environment for its employees, while simultaneously strengthening the Port of Charleston’s position within the global marketplace.

“The Southeast is the best place to be in the port business with both its thriving business sector and growing population boosting imports and exports,” S.C. Ports Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “CSC will enhance the ability to market the Port of Charleston to a broader customer base with a focus on continued growth for this strategic market.”

House, Senate to reconvene.   The legislature has plans to meet in-person beginning noon May 12, just days before the May 14 end of session, according to a statement from the House Speaker’s office.  The House will meet each of the three days leading up to the deadline, according to House Clerk Charles Reid in a Thursday email to House members. 

State revenues take virus dip.  South Carolina’s general fund tax  revenues declined $400.1 million for April compared with the same time frame in 2019, according to a Friday state revenue presentation.  But it’s possible that money will be made up as taxes are filed later, state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Executive Director Frank Rainwater told the Board of Economic Advisers Friday morning.  For the 2020-21 fiscal year, the state originally expected a $567 million surplus from current year funds.  But now, the state expects only one-tenth of that amount.  More from Statehouse Report.

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