Hello Advocates!
The legislature returned to Columbia for some days this week and will resume once more next week. Here are three note-worthy topics from this week:
Cares Act Phase 2
On Tuesday, September 15, Senate passed their version of the CARES Act, H.3210, a plan for the allocation of funds from CARES phase 2. A day later, Senate’s version went to the House where it was struck and House decided to put their version forward. The versions will now both appear in Conference Committee and a decision will be made on which to pass. The House and Senate versions have similar goals, and both allocate funds to the nonprofit sector. However, it is important to note that only the House version explicitly includes language on support for the arts.
There is $680 million left in the SC CARES fund from the federal government’s initial funding. The state needs to spend it by December 31 of 2020, otherwise, the balance goes back to the federal government. The other stipulation is that, similar to Phase One, the funds must only be used on COVID-related expenses. In the House version, the full list of categories where funds are to be allocated are statewide COVID-19 testing and monitoring, the Unemployment Trust Fund, the establishment of a Minority and Small Business Relief Program, expenditures of State, Local Government, Independent College and Universities, and the establishment of a Nonprofit (501(c)(3)) Grant Relief Program.
The Nonprofit Grant Relief Program that the House Version would pass explicitly states support for arts and cultural organizations as well as includes details on eligibility and creates a review panel for the grants which includes the Director of the SCAC among others.
Eligibility: Must be a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization. Must employ 25 or fewer employees unless the nonprofit provides food assistance. Must have been operating in South Carolina for at least six months prior to March 13, 2020.
Prioritized Organizations:
1. Those that have not received previous assistance such as PPP loans and other CARES funds.
2. Those that provide food, rent/mortgage assistance, mental health services, health care, and arts and culture.
Deadline: Nonprofits that qualify may apply no later than November 1, 2020
Award: Equal to two-months’ payroll expenses in the months of January and February 2020. The award floor and ceiling are respectively $2,500-$25,000.
We need to push for the House version to ensure support for the arts in the final version. Take action here.
Voter Registration and Absentee Voting
The November General Election is quickly approaching. If you have not yet registered to vote, now is the time. The voter registration deadline is October 2nd in person, October 5th by mail, and October 4th online. As for absentee voting and COVID-19 related concerns, on September 16th, H.5305 was signed to law. This law now allows all registered South Carolina voters to opt for absentee voting under the Governor’s declaration of a state-wide “State of Emergency” due to health threats and risks.
How to apply for an absentee ballot: Applications must be received by the county board of elections no later than 5 pm on October 24th by mail, 5 pm on October 30th for a representative of the authorized voter, or 5 pm on November 2nd for voters who appear in person.
How to submit an absentee ballot: Voters may submit by mail or in-person
Absentee voting begins October 5th and runs through November 3rd.
Click Here to register to vote, find your local election office, get the absentee voting application, and read more FAQs.
The Arts Industry received great support
Some note-worthy wins for the arts in the past weeks:
Representative Mark Willis, a CARES ad hoc committee member, pushed for the arts to be supported in CARES Phase 2 in a committee meeting last week. Listen to Representative Willis’ statement which placed specific arts and cultural support on the piece of legislation.
Governor Henry McMaster released recommendations on CARES Phase 2 expenditures and specifically asks for “up to $45 million to be made available in the form of grants to small businesses and non-profit organizations”.
The arts are specifically addressed in the House Education and Public Works Committee’s recommendations for Education in the coming school year. With an eye towards health threats, many students still attending school virtually, and a continuing need to socially distance, arts classrooms will need some extra attention to detail on how they move forward safely while ensuring that students are receiving a robust arts education. Recommendation 12 of 16, states that “The State Department of Education should continuously encourage districts, regardless of the method used to deliver instruction, to maintain a focus on the arts and humanities.”
Thanks for tuning in!
