Activist urges support of bipartisan bill to create wind leases to aid state’s future

Leasing wind

Note: The writer is co-leader of the Charleston Chapter Citizens Climate Lobby.

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, R-LA, and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI, recently reintroduced the RISEE act.

The proposed legislation would establish dedicated funding streams from offshore wind leases to pay for coastal infrastructure resiliency and conservation. In other words, a portion of the revenue raised by the leases would be directed to adjacent states rather than the U.S. Treasury.

South Carolina is blessed with the second largest wind resource on the East Coast, but is also among the states most threatened by rising sea levels and worsening coastal storms. Recognizing the importance of this bipartisan bill to South Carolinians, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, have reached across the aisle and pledged their support.

If you are tired of gridlock and appreciate bipartisan actions, please let our legislators know.

Ronald Malcom M.D., Johns Island

Not a halftime fan

Well, I got to hand it to whoever picks the halftime shows at the Super Bowl.

They managed to far surpass the wardrobe mishap from years past which was so offensive to viewers at the time. I just couldn’t believe the entertainer Rihanna, a bad example of family-oriented entertainment.

Shame on the NFL.

Leo Krejci, Bluffton

Strange lawmaking

Take a look at the long list of proposals in South Carolina laws that are being considered this year. Some are sensible, meant to attract and retain teachers and protect our youngsters.

Some are strange. Bill H-3439 abolishes the State Board of Education and the Education Oversight Committee. An Office of School Districts Administration in the Governor’s Office would select district superintendents. Local communities and school boards would likely find this an unpleasant usurpation of local autonomy.

Another bill would require that racial disparity in academic testing be posted on the front door of schools. This proposal seems to be aimed at embarrassing the school or embarrassing the students within the school. Which is it?

Another proposal seeks to use tax money to fund private education, something prohibited by the state constitution. If a church wants a school, they should fund it, and the same for anyone wanting an education with exclusive appeals for social beliefs, class exclusions, or other qualifiers. The state constitution forbids it for good reason.

Frankly, if lawmakers think citizens should obey the law, why do they spend so much time trying to figure out ways to get around it?

Ann Bowles, Columbia

Too much to lose

I am 89 and am writing this letter to reflect upon 10 years of work in a clinic where abortions were performed.

I worked in a New York women’s clinic for the three years before abortion was legalized nationwide. Parents of females, one as young as seven, teenagers and mature women would call in tears hoping for an appointment.

Patients were met by me, the receptionist, a counselor, an anesthesiologist, and the doctor. Some women left crying, and some left relieved, but they knew that the choice was theirs, and that they would be safe.

Too strict abortion laws will send South Carolina back to the dark day of illegal abortions for women, children and mothers.

How much more can be taken away from our supposedly democratic state?

Joyce Eickmeyer, Rock Hill