South Carolina Legislative Session Opens with New Lawmakers

The South Carolina General Assembly began its new session with a significant number of new lawmakers, potentially altering its traditionally slow-paced approach to change. Among the key issues is a proposed bill that would allow parents to use state lottery funds for educational vouchers, which aims to circumvent a recent Supreme Court ruling against taxpayer funding for private schools. In Texas, the 89th biennial legislative session opened with a focus on electing a new Speaker of the House, as the current Speaker stepped down, while advocates expressed optimism for a results-driven legislative agenda under a Republican majority. Meanwhile, Minnesota's legislative session is clouded by uncertainty as a House Republican majority faces potential quorum issues due to absent members, with ongoing legal disputes regarding election results in specific districts. The interplay of these developments highlights the varying dynamics and challenges faced by state legislatures across the country. These legislative sessions are crucial for shaping policies on education, governance, and representation.