By Rep. Robby Robbins
I always enjoy it when local folks come to the State House. And last week was no exception. It was great to host Colleton County school board members Sharon Witkin and Lynn Stroble. These women are passionate about trying to improve public education in Colleton County.
I also want to provide an update on the state budget the House passed in March and sent to the Senate. While my first-ever vote in the legislature last year cut taxes, boosted teacher pay, and put more money into fixing our roads, this was my first complete budget cycle in the South Carolina House of Representatives. I took the same priorities that I voted for last year – and again supported them in this year’s budget process.
I am pleased to report that the House budget includes my priorities. I expect to see many of these initiatives funded in the final budget we send to the Governor now that the Senate has concluded its work.
The House budget allocates $450 million in non-recurring funds to fix roads and bridges, fund new roads and bridges, and invest in solutions to combat traffic congestion. This budget provides $250 million to local and secondary road projects, accelerates the repair or replacement of bridges, and provides $7 million to the Rural Infrastructure Authority to improve public water and sewer utilities.
As a former prosecutor, I know how vital our law enforcement officers are to the safety of our citizens. We must ensure they have the training and resources to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. Additionally, we need to ensure all our schools are staffed with at least one school resource officer.
The budget we passed raises base salaries to $50,000 for law enforcement officers, funds the hiring of an additional 188 school resources officers, and creates the Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence, which will provide hands-on training for those officers. All of this to say, I will continue to fund, not defund the police who are working hard to protect our children and communities.
In order to prepare our next generation of leaders, our teachers need to be safe in the classroom. In this budget, the House made investments in our school systems to improve student safety and achievement. Our budget increases base teacher pay by $2,500, provides funds for hiring of bus drivers and purchases of buses, and adds funding for much needed tutoring programs. And at the higher education level, we are freezing tuition increases and fully funding scholarships to help young persons further their education.
It is my honor to represent you, the citizens of District 97. Feel free to contact me at RobertRobbins@schouse.gov or 803-212-6973.
