The state’s first bipartisan HBCU caucus is urging state lawmakers to allocate more funds to South Carolina’s historically Black colleges and universities
This past week, the caucus was advocating at the State House for improvements to these institutions.
Rep. Heather Bauer, a Richland County Democrat and caucus member, has concerns about the current condition of the state’s HBCUs, saying,
“Frankly we should be embarrassed by our state’s HBCUs and this caucus was formed to help resolve that.”
The caucus is requesting additional funding from the state’s Higher Education Subcommittee to address longstanding resource gaps. Leaders from several of the state’s HBCUs addressed the panel this week about their need for more money.
According to Bauer’s estimate, South Carolina’s historically Black colleges and universities have been underfunded by more than $420 million since the late 1980s.
A significant chunk of the school’s funding goes toward facility maintenance because buildings and infrastructure are deteriorating, leaving little money to go toward education investment.
Lawmakers like Sen. Deon Tedder, who represents Charleston and Dorchester Counties, say more money is critical to the institutions.
“This would help them with the infrastructure to have a classroom that’s healthy and safe for the students to enjoy when they’re learning but also allow them to use other funds to expand programming and academics and not always use all of their general funding directly to the dilapidated buildings.”
Voorhees University provost and vice president of academic affairs, Edward Hill, also argues additional funds would help modernize infrastructure, enhance academic programs, and increase student success.
Hill emphasized the broader impact of supporting HBCUs by helping prepare the next generation of students for the workforce, saying
The caucus, the legislators, the world needs to understand this transformation doesn’t just impact those institutions it impacts the world.”
The HBCU caucus is expected to meet again this week.
ROAD TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
As the 2026 race for governor starts to heat up in South Carolina, candidates are starting to lay out their priorities.
This past week, Congressman Ralph Norman called a State House news conference to rally support for improving the state’s infrastructure.
Issues with South Carolina’s roads and bridges are nothing new.
Earlier this month, Gov. Henry McMaster called on state lawmakers to set aside $1.1 billion for road and bridge projects to help offset the rising costs of construction that have been brought on by inflation.
Over the past four years, McMaster and the General Assembly have approved $1.4 billion for new construction and improvements to state roads, bridges and interstates. About $7 billion in transportation projects are currently underway statewide, compared with $2.7 billion in 2017.
State officials say rising construction and labor costs in South Carolina and nationwide threaten to delay major projects and strain existing budgets.
“Over the last several years, South Carolina has made tremendous progress improving our roadways, with major projects underway in every corner of the state,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “Our population is skyrocketing, and inflation is driving up construction costs, creating potential delays. We can’t make more time, but we can use this new surplus money to keep road projects moving and on schedule.”
Infrastructure improvements are sure to be a issue in the race for the governor’s mansion, but, just highlighting the issue won’t be enough. Voters will expect candidates to have a plan of action to make the necessary changes.
FEEDING THE NEED
Gov. Henry McMaster is calling on state lawmakers to set aside money in the state budget to make sure every single public school student has free breakfast regardless of their family’s financial standing.
Right now, low-income students in South Carolina can qualify for free breakfast under the National School Lunch Program, but this proposal would make it available to every student.
The initiative is one House Democrats say has been a long time coming.
“It’s something that the governor can do right now to fight hunger amongst children in our schools,” Rep. Seth Rose said. “We unfortunately have too many children who are going to school not ready to learn.”
McMaster is calling for $8.7 million to provide a little more than four million meals to the state’s roughly 750,000 students, all paid for with federal funding.
In Richland School District Two, 32 of the 41 schools in the district already offer free breakfast under the current qualifications. The district has served more than 644,000 breakfasts to students so far this school year.
Superintendent Kim Moore says providing breakfast to every student will enhance the learning experience for all. Moore also believes it can serve as a safety net for students and parents, especially as Richland County saw SNAP benefits expire this past fall putting a strain on families and relief organizations for weeks.
“Hunger is a problem in our district because we know we have a very high poverty index in our district. We are about 64% poverty, which means we know students might not have meals at home,” Moore said. “Parents stress out when their children when their child is hungry, and we want parents to feel comfortable and do what parents need to do and knowing that their children will be able to eat.”
The proposal is still a long way from becoming part of the state budget. It still needs to be approved by state lawmakers as they put together South Carolina’s spending plan during the legislative session.
If it’s approved, the plan takes effect next fiscal year.
ROAD RULES
On Tuesday, State Rep. Heather Ammons Crawford, representing Horry County, District 68, introduced legislation that would rename a portion of future I-73 after President Donald Trump.
The section would be named the “President Donald J. Trump Highway,” covering the South Carolina portion of the interstate in Dillon, Marion and Marlboro counties.
A release from Crawford’s office said that once I-73 is constructed, it will strengthen hurricane evacuation capacity and support growth for South Carolina residents and visitors. Horry County will be significantly affected as it’s the largest county in the state without direct access to an interstate highway.
The release said that during Trump’s first term. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a federal permit authorizing construction of the highway, which had previously caused a delay on the project for decades.
Crawford said the interstate is closer to construction than ever, recounting the voter approval of the RIDE IV program in November 2024, which committed $450 million in local matching funds for its construction.
“President Donald J. Trump is the greatest President of our lifetime,” Crawford said. “During his first administration, he secured the permit that made I-73 shovel-ready after decades of delay. From the Grand Strand to the Pee Dee, this road means jobs and opportunity for South Carolina families and businesses. Naming this highway for President Trump honors a president whose leadership put America First and secured his place in American history.”
