General Assembly Files Motion with Supreme Court
Asks Court to Vacate Previous Abbeville II Order
(Columbia, SC) – House Speaker Jay Lucas (District 65-Darlington) issued the following statement after he and President Pro Tempore of the Senate Hugh Leatherman filled a motion with the Supreme Court asking for reconsideration of their most recent order.
“Arbitrary deadlines that seek to hijack the legislative process and meaningless approval from an unrealistic super-panel will not reform South Carolina’s education delivery system. Achieving actual improvement requires extensive study and input from those most familiar with the issues.
“The Court’s attempt to overstep its judicial authority further complicates the lawmaking process. More importantly, it negates the significant progress made by the House Education Task Force over the last ten months. Every child in every part of our state deserves access to a 21st century education. Because we must preserve the diligent work already completed by our task force, we think it is imperative that the Supreme Court vacate their most recent order and remove themselves from the legislative process,” said Speaker Lucas.
In January, House Speaker Jay Lucas created the House Education Policy Review and Reform Task Force. This seventeen-member group is comprised of legislators, educators, the State Superintendent of Education, the president/executive director of the South Carolina Technical College System, and a former chief education advisor to the United States Secretary of Education and includes five representatives selected by the plaintiff districts. They have been working diligently for ten months and are required to submit a report to Speaker Lucas by January 12, 2016 with their findings. After review, legislation will be drafted, introduced, and continue throughout the legislative process.