SC lawmakers meet this week, briefly. Here's what they're doing

Welcome to SCETV and South Carolina Public Radio's newest blog, of sorts, previewing and capturing what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse.

We're still working on what to call this blog. Got ideas? Email us.

When the Legislature is in session, longtime Statehouse reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney and Maayan Schechter will report what you need to know when lawmakers are in Columbia drafting and passing laws that affect you, your family, and your community.

This blog will include insider news, important meeting schedules, photos, video, behind-the-scenes interview clips with the state's policymakers and more.

Welcome back to the SC Statehouse

It's Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

Here's what you need to know today and this week.

This week, all members of the South Carolina General Assembly (that's 46 senators and 123 representatives — there's currently one House vacancy) will return, briefly, to the Capitol for their organizational session.

The S.C. House meets Tuesday and Wednesday at 11 a.m. and the Senate meets at noon on Wednesday.

What will they do?

They'll elect leaders, like House speaker and Senate president. And both chambers will elect their respective clerks, sergeants-at-arms, reading clerks and chaplains.

They'll also pick their seats and get their new, or old, committee assignments.

And the chambers will adopt rules.

Think back-to-school vibes — but lawmakers, who will then take a winter break before session officially starts on Jan. 14, 2025.

Post November election, this is the first time both bodies are getting back together in one room, and the first time for many of the returning members to meet their new freshman colleagues.

As a reminder of the current political party breakdown:
House: 88 Republicans to currently 35 Democrats
Senate: 34 Republicans to 12 Democrats

There are a couple votes to follow Tuesday:

• There are rumblings that the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus will seek to challenge House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter. In a Substack post titled, "SC House Must Elect a New Speaker to Advance Conservative Values," the caucus wrote Monday, "As we prepare for the next legislative session, we must elect a Speaker who will prioritize Republican principles, respect the mandate of our voters, stop appointing Democrats to run committees, and deliver on the promises that brought us to office." It's unclear who will step up to the plate, but Democratic lawmakers said Monday they've heard two names: Longtime Upstate Reps. Mike Burns and Bill Chumley. Any challenger is likely to fail. Smith has support among the larger House Republican Caucus and Democratic lawmakers. But a vote count for speaker would be a good indicator of continued GOP fault lines going into the next session.
  

• The S.C. House Democratic Caucus, a group of 35 members (there is one vacancy in a Democratic-leaning Charleston-area district after former Rep. Marvin Pendarvis won reelection but resigned), remains the only main party caucus that has not elected a new leader. That will change Tuesday. State Rep. Todd Rutherford, a Richland Democrat and longtime leader of the House Minority Caucus, will seek another term but will be challenged by fellow Richland lawmaker, Rep. Kambrell Garvin. The 33-year-old Garvin confirmed Monday that he intends to run for minority leader, saying he's running to "advance a new direction" and hopes to bring a fresh perspective that will unify the caucus.

  Here's in part what he told SC Public Radio: "It's really, really important that we as Democrats are united, that we as Democrats project and articulate a message to the people of South Carolina that resonates," Garvin said, adding, "a message that is forward-thinking, a message that offers a contrast to what we currently have."

Jeffrey Collins/AP

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AP

Fifty-four-year-old Rutherford, meanwhile, told SC Public Radio he believes he's been an effective voice for House Democrats.

"I think at the moment I am well placed in order to get the job done, and that job being amplifying the voices of all the members of the Democratic Caucus and those that don't have a voice in our caucus that are Democrats living in House districts that don't have a Democratic representative," Rutherford said.

This is not the first time Rutherford has been challenged since he was first elected minority leader in 2013.

Looking back: Four years ago, former state Rep. Wendy Brawley, D-Richland, unsuccessfully challenged Rutherford for House Democratic leader. Rutherford was reelected by a 22-18 caucus vote.

The House Minority Caucus will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Who else is in leadership? Here's your caucus breakdown:
House GOP Caucus: Rep. Davey Hiott, R-Pickens
Senate GOP Caucus: Sen. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield
Senate Democratic Caucus: Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg

Gavin Jackson

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SCETV/SC Public Radio

Daily planner (12/3)

• 10 a.m. — Blatt 305 — House Minority Caucus
  
• 11 a.m. — House of Representatives gavels in
  Live Broadcast
  Live Broadcast - Audio Only
  
• Immediately after House adjourns — Blatt 215 — House Legislative Ethics Committee meets Agenda Available
  
• After House adjourns — Blatt 112 — House Majority Caucus
  
• After House adjourns House — Blatt 501 — Operations and Management Committee Agenda Available

*Livestreams brought to you by SCETV

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  Jeffrey Collins/AP

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  AP

Statehouse clips from across the state

• Former state Sen. Gerald Malloy withdraws protest in SC Senate 29 race after narrowly defeated by Republican Sen. JD Chaplin (SC Public Radio)
• SC lawmakers to return to the State House. Here’s their priorities for upcoming session (The State)
• SC DJJ to rent jail for youth in Greenville to reduce overcrowding (SC Daily Gazette)
• Mark Clark Extension project likely dead after state declines to offer lifeline (Post and Courier)
• Prosecutors drop domestic violence charge against ex-Charlotte Chamber CEO Bob Morgan (Rock Hill Herald)
•  With federal funds gone, DSS seeks money to support childcare in next SC budget (WIS TV)
• Longtime SC lawmaker receives state's highest civilian honor as new lawmakers take oath (Greenville News)