"Power Play: Devine and Thigpen's Legislative Mastery Sparks Debate at Forum!"

 

from left to right: Overture Walker, Tameika Devine, Dr. Ivory Thigpen, Chris Nellums

By: Javar Juarez 

Tuesday, May 21st, 2024- Last Updated: 6:05pm EST

Second Nazareth Baptist Church, Columbia, S.C. 

Second Nazareth Baptist Church 

It is never an easy task to put yourself in the line of fire as a candidate for any elected office, especially in the state of South Carolina, in a largely Black and Democratic district. Having experienced a Senate run myself, I can attest to the challenges and commend those who step up to protect their community’s interests. However, last night’s forum was a clear mismatch of candidates in terms of preparation and connection to the issues at hand.

Dr. Brenda Branic Moderator

Held at the Second Nazareth Baptist Church and sponsored by the Panhellenic Council, the forum featured an audience of about 150 plus attendees, Dr. Brenda Branic did an admirable job moderating the event, which included candidates Dr. Michael Addison, Tameika Isaac Devine, Chris Nellums, Dr. Ivory Thigpen, and Richland County Councilman Overture Walker. Notably absent were Dick Harpootlian and Monica Elkins.

Standout Performances

The night belonged to Senator Tameika Isaac Devine and Dr. Ivory Thigpen, Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. Both candidates were well-prepared, knowledgeable, and demonstrated a deep connection to the issues currently facing the statehouse. Senator Devine showed confidence and insight when discussing the “Compassionate Care Act” (Bill S423), which aims to create a regulated medical cannabis program. She emphasized understanding the reservations other legislators might have about expanding the bill to include recreational uses and expressed a willingness to foster dialogue to build consensus. 

Senator Devine highlighted her effectiveness in the Republican-dominated statehouse, focusing on building relationships across the aisle. This approach contrasts with Dr. Michael Addison's more immediate call for expanding cannabis use and Chris Nellums' repetitive but unclear stance that “hemp is the future.” Addison raised valid concerns about the racial disparities in the cannabis industry, where African Americans are often excluded from the benefits of legalization while still suffering from its criminalization.

Richland County Councilman Overture Walker, a former municipal court judge, city prosecutor, and assistant city attorney for the City of Columbia, as well as an assistant public defender for Richland County, stated that he was not in favor of expanding the Compassionate Care Act to include recreational use of cannabis. Notably, as a former prosecutor, he did not express support for decriminalizing cannabis either. 

Candidates running for Senate District 19 and 22 from left to right: Dr. Michael Addison, Senator Tameika Isaac-Devine, Chris Nellums, Dr. Ivory Thigpen, Richland County Councilman Overture Walker.

Legislative Insight

The candidates were also questioned about their approach to reintroducing legislation. Here, Senator Devine and Dr. Thigpen stood out, demonstrating their deep understanding of the legislative process and the importance of strategic relationships. Their informed positions starkly contrasted with the struggles of Addison, Nellums, and Walker to articulate clear strategies.

Senator Tameika Devine shared her insights, stating, "I will say that watching is one thing, but being there is something else. I can tell you from experience that it has a lot to do with relationships and understanding the key issues and being able to work with people and explain." She provided a compelling example, "In the last two days of the Senate, I helped get the tax exemption on feminine hygiene products passed (H3563). The bill had passed the House overwhelmingly but was stalled in the Senate. The six sister senators—two Democrats, three Republicans, and an independent—worked together to get the bill pulled out of committee. On the second to last day of the session, it still wasn't going to be placed on the calendar. But we objected to a bill removing the admissions tax on golf courses, which led to negotiations. We insisted on the feminine hygiene bill, and two minutes after our bill passed, the golf course tax bill passed. It's about relationships, understanding the numbers, and knowing how to play the game."

Education

In a significant moment, the panel was asked about SC Bill H3728, the Transparency and Integrity in Education Act, formerly known as the "Anti-CRT" bill. This controversial bill, now referred to as a censorship bill, remains a threat to teachers and students and caused major conflict in the state education subcommittee. Although the radical Freedom Caucus was unsuccessful in passing the bill, they created a budget proviso and sued the Lex-Rich One school district for allegedly using funds to teach DEI. This settlement, while avoiding further resource wastage, demonstrated how extreme members of the Republican-led House can use protocols and provisos to obstruct educational progress. During the panel, candidates had to research the bill on their phones, underscoring the importance of community involvement in legislative processes, as decisions made by representatives profoundly impact our lives.

All candidates expressed strong support for funding education, addressing issues such as the education lottery and inadequate funding for HBCUs. Dr. Ivory Thigpen emphasized the importance of the South Carolina educational lottery, stating, "The South Carolina educational lottery has undoubtedly helped many students. The General Assembly has repeatedly frozen tuition costs using the general fund, providing opportunities for many who otherwise couldn't afford education. However, we need state-sponsored need-based scholarships to address disparities." He highlighted a significant achievement, "In 2021, the South Carolina General Assembly appropriated $18 million towards developing educational institutes at each of South Carolina’s seven HBCUs, creating job pipelines for students. This was a hard-fought victory that Representative McDaniel and I secured, especially since the funding was not renewed last year."

Conclusion

The forum made it evident that Senator Tameika Isaac Devine and Dr. Ivory Thigpen are well-prepared to continue serving their constituents effectively. Their performances underscored the importance of knowledge, preparation, and relationship-building in legislative success. As a community, it is crucial that we stay engaged and hold our representatives accountable, ensuring they are equipped to advocate for our interests.

In the words of Chris Nellums, “We don’t communicate enough; we all have a common ground.” This sentiment rings true as we look forward to a future where informed and proactive leadership can drive meaningful change in South Carolina. By staying informed and involved, we can support leaders who prioritize our community’s needs and work towards a better future for all.

Senator Tameika Isaac- Devine: Candidate for Senate District 19 (Democrat)

Representative Dr. Ivory Thigpen: Candidate for Senate District 22 (Democrat)

Richland County Councilman Overture Walker: Candidate for Senate District 22 (Democrat)

Dr. Michael Addison: Candidate for Senate District 19 (Independent) 

Chris Nellums: Candidate for Senate District 19 (United Citizens Party)

Not Present: 

Senator Richard “Dick” Harpootlian: Candidate for Senator District 20 (Democrat)

Dr. Monica Elkins: Candidate for Senate District 22 (Democrat)

Admissions Tax: Golf Courses

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/3880.htm

Feminine Hygiene Products: Sales Tax Exemption

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/3563.htm

Medical Cannabis: Compassionate Care Act

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/423.htm

SCiii: South Carolina’s Institutes of Innovation and Information (SCIII)

https://sciii.net/

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