COLUMBIA, S.C. — Hours after State Senator Dick Harpootlian, (D) Richland, wrote a two-page letter to Governor Henry McMaster urging him to change his response to COVID-19, the Governor's office announced he wanted more money available for DHEC immediately.
"Governor Henry McMaster today requested that the South Carolina General Assembly pass a joint resolution for the purpose of making $45 million from the 2019-2020 Contingency Reserve Fund immediately available," the Governor's press release states.
The release said the Governor sent two letters to the Senate and House asking for the funds. It continues, saying if all the money is not used, it would be returned to the fund.
“DHEC protocols and procedures require the agency to prepare for a variety of contingencies and situations. This requires that the agency identify and secure - in advance - the necessary resources, equipment and personnel to successfully address these contingencies," McMaster wrote, according to the release.
The Governor asked the General Assembly to use some of the money originally set aside for a planned taxpayer credit, which was expected to cost $128 million.
Harpootlian's letter asked the Governor to modify his responses to the virus.
"I saw that you plan on participating in the Saint Patrick's Day parade in Greenville this weekend. I respectfully submit that is a mistake with potentially deleterious effects on the public health," Harpootlian wrote.
The Richland Senator urges the Governor to instruct South Carolinians to avoid large crowds, postpone festivals, and save state funds.
"I believe we can mitigate the long-term economic impact by taking decisive action now to slow the viruses spread and then contain it," Harpootlian wrote.
Harpootlian said the state should act swiftly to avoid long-term damage to its tourism economy.
"We have $2 billion in one-time, non-reoccurring money that the legislature appears ready to spend on goodies and giveaways. That would be folly. Instead, we should put these funds in the State's rainy-day fund to ensure we have money to run this government next year when the economic impact of COVID-19 is felt in the State treasury," Harpootlian added.
The Senator asked the Governor to remember the strain the 2008 recession placed on the state's budget the following year as revenues fell.
The letter says it was hand-delivered and the rest of the Senate received a copy.
Currently, there has not been an announcement of any South Carolina government press conferences to respond to the virus on Thursday.
