Charleston City Paper/The Statehouse Report

‘Constitutional requirement’ or an ‘assault on women’? The state of South Carolina and its largest city took dramatic steps this week to begin dismantling decades-old programs designed to increase participation by women- and-minority-owned businesses in government contracting.

“Women will suffer from this,” Lynn Teague, LWVSC VP Issues & Action, said. “We see it as part of an attack on the rights of women from every direction, including efforts to pass draconian abortion bans and attacks on the professional status of jobs that are dominated by women.”

Good governance requires the “right ingredients” (the right mix of board members), a chef (League presidents or co-presidents) to provide leadership and accountability, and “careful mixing and stirring of candid discussions, transparent practices, and thoughtful governance policies. Quarterly LWVSC "Governance Matters" memos are designed to help a board do its work and do its work better. Check out this first memo!

Allowing nurse practitioners (APRNs) to provide the healthcare they are trained and licensed to give—without being tied to a smaller and smaller pool of primary care physicians—will expand quality access to care in South Carolina. Studies report increased satisfaction and lower costs. Additionally, Congress made full practice for APRNs a requirement of all states receiving any of the recently enacted $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund.

DEI has remained central to the League of Women Voters of South Carolina (LWVSC) agenda. We are committed to "fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging for all people."