Issue Position: Restoring the Lowcountry's Economy

Issue Position

Coronavirus is a serious illness, but recent reports say most people who have COVID-19 don't even know they have it because they have no symptoms and have not been tested. Recent studies report a far greater spread of asymptomatic disease than originally anticipated, meaning the hospitalization and mortality rates are actually lower than estimated.

In South Carolina, we flattened the curve more effectively than other parts of the country because we took to social distancing early. Today, we are far below projections for both infection and mortality, for those tested at least.

South Carolina residents are doing an excellent job taking this virus seriously. We're wearing masks and gloves in grocery stores, and staying 6 feet apart even when we're outdoors.

Our nation's reaction to the virus has caused 30 million people to lose their jobs and plunged our country further into the red, racking up an additional $6 trillion of debt. To put that in perspective, that's about $200,000 per household. Our deficit in 2020 will reach nearly $4 trillion.

Too often, money meant to go to small businesses instead went to big ones, and many small companies were permanently shuttered.

At the end of the day, the decision to jump-start our economy begins with the states, their citizens and their businesses. Federalism doesn't empower D.C. to dictate to the states or the local level. New York City is different from Charleston, which is different from Atlanta. Any decisions must allow for differences between states and regions.

READ Nancy's position on restoring The Lowcountry's econonomy

TARGETED HOUSING HELP

Over these challenging weeks, I've worked hard to be out front advocating for the needs of the Lowcountry.

The COVID19 crisis has challenged all of us and our families. For weeks, I've advocated for more and better testing, and for supplies for our health care providers. I, too, shared the importance of restoring our economy and getting our state back to normal as best we can.

We now see 30 million people unemployed, a near $4 trillion deficit and businesses shuttered or hanging on by a thread. We have people struggling to pay their mortgages and rent, and the relief that has been offered hasn't fixed all of the problems.

It was just announced starting May 15th, South Carolina will allow evictions and foreclosures to resume, at a time when the government simultaneously has shut businesses down, unemployment is at distressing and historic highs.

Our government is restricting Lowcountry residents to their homes, only to kick them out!? If people can't work, they can't pay their rent.

Perhaps the state of South Carolina can allow people to resume work at the same time they are going to resume foreclosure or eviction proceedings. That would just make sense, right?

But I also have another idea.

READ Nancy's position on targeting housing help for businesses, families, banks, lenders, landlords and tenants

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