During the seventh week of session, there was a good deal of activity in the Ways and Means Committee and several debates on the house floor. This review provides an overview of some of the debates in Ways and Means and on the floor as well as a look at some new bills.

EDUCATION

Last Wednesday, the House passed the Virtual School Bill. This bill came out of the Education Committee with broad bipartisan support because it was viewed as a way to provide alternative instruction opportunities, such as online classes, for public school students. However, once on the House floor, there were amendments made to the bill. Some representatives feel that the amendments weaken or alter the purpose of the bill by allowing private school students to participate in the taxpayer-funded virtual school program that was initially intended to serve public school students. This type of funding for private school students worries some representatives because it has similarities to the private school voucher plan, also known as Put Parents in Charge. Other concerns about the bill focused on its failure to provide Internet access for public schools in rural and economically distressed areas. Lack of access will prevent them from participating in the virtual school program. Overall, the bill that was passed has its flaws, but is a solid piece of legislation for improving public education.

In the Ways and Means Committee there was long debate on how to attract National Board Certified teachers to poor and low-performing school districts. As of Wednesday evening, there was tentative compromise agreement on a plan that would waive or significantly reduce the student loans of a National Board Certified teacher who chooses to work in a distressed school. Several representatives, and many people in the education field, believe that this is an important step to strengthening struggling schools. Further details of the plan need to be finalized in committee.

HEALTH CARE

Increasing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) for uninsured children has been a high priority for members of the House Democratic Caucus. Over the past few weeks much work and discussion about increasing S-CHIP has taken place in the Ways and Means Committee.

On Wednesday, the Committee approved a proviso that would increase S-CHIP from 150 percent of the federal poverty level to 200 percent and would help insure an estimated 75,000 children. The program will offer health insurance through a managed health care provider, and families will be charged an affordable premium or co-pay for their children. From a financial standpoint, the increase is a good investment for the state because each dollar that the state spends on the program will be matched with almost $4 from the Federal government. Additional updates about this plan will be provided as the issue is presented to the full House during "budget week" in mid-March.

ENVIRONMENT

There has been a good deal of attention in the media about House Bill 3545, which would extend the Atlantic Compact for nuclear waste disposal in South Carolina to the year 2023.

This bill would change the current law that was passed in 2000. That law would stop the importation of low-level nuclear waste into the state's disposal facility in Barnwell County in 2008. Some legislators support the extension because they feel the Atlantic Compact provides important jobs to the Barnwell area as well as funding for public schools. Other legislators support the 2008 deadline because they believe South Carolina should not be the dumping ground for other states' nuclear waste. Many expect this to be a hotly contested bill, especially considering that more nuclear power plants are likely to be built in the coming years.

As a way to explore alternative clean energy sources for the future, House Bill 3533 would create a study committee to look at the feasibility of establishing wind energy production farms in South Carolina. Several states, such as Minnesota and Texas, are currently utilizing wind turbines as an alternative energy source to help reduce dependence on foreign oil and cut pollution. If established, the study committee would complete their report by Jan. 1, 2008.

If you would like any additional information on these bills, or any other legislation under consideration by the General Assembly, feel free to visit our Web site at www.scstatehouse.net.

If you have a comment or opinion concerning the matters discussed in this report, or if I may be of assistance to you at any time, please feel free to call your legislative office in Columbia (803-734-3073), office 422A Blatt Building, Columbia, SC 29211; or by e-mail at mossd@scstatehouse. net or my home in Gaffney (864-487- 2121); or write 306 Silver Circle, Gaffney, SC 29340.