Good Morning, South Carolina - December 19, 2024
A daily political recap
Welcome to The Arena's daily political recap! Delivered straight to your inbox Monday through Friday, this series aims to keep you informed about the latest developments in South Carolina politics, all through a progressive lens.
As the state’s only progressive media outlet, we are dedicated to spotlighting stories you may have missed in the daily shuffle. Here’s what you need to know from the past 24(ish) hours:
Jasper County School Board Chair Faces Scrutiny Over Campaign Contributions
The chair of the Jasper County School Board, Joyce Gerald, is under fire after disclosing an 18-month-old campaign contribution from her district’s now-former superintendent, Rechel Anderson. Gerald amended her campaign filings to reflect the $2,000 donation—nearly double all her other reported contributions combined—just weeks after state investigators began probing the district’s finances and governance. The late disclosure has raised ethical questions about her campaign practices, and state law classifies failure to timely report contributions as a misdemeanor.
This comes as Jasper County’s school district grapples with state oversight, financial irregularities, and the fallout from Anderson’s recent firing. The ongoing turbulence in the district could have far-reaching consequences for local governance and public trust.
Read more in the Post and Courier.
Planned Parenthood Case Heads to U.S. Supreme Court
South Carolina’s long-standing effort to cut Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid provider list will now be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. This case centers on a 2018 executive order from Governor Henry McMaster aimed at denying state and federal funding to healthcare providers offering abortion services—even if the funds are earmarked for unrelated care like cancer screenings or birth control.
Federal courts previously blocked the order, citing Medicaid’s "free-choice-of-provider" provision. However, with the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, the case could reshape the rights of Medicaid recipients to access care from providers of their choice.
If South Carolina prevails, it may embolden other states to restrict funding for organizations offering abortion services, regardless of federal law.
Read more in the South Carolina Daily Gazette.
Join the Conversation!
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