The days of subminimum wage in South Carolina are over. The state law phasing it out, which was passed in 2022, took effect at the beginning of August. Everyone knows that it is getting harder to buy things such as groceries and clothes as prices continue to rise.
Surviving on minimum wage is nearly impossible. But for many years, people with disabilities in our state were paid even lower than minimum wage. Individuals were paid as little as 5 cents an hour in “work activity centers” across South Carolina.
As of Aug. 1, that was stopped, thanks to disability champions state Sens. Katrina Shealy and Tom Davis and Reps.
Neal Collins and Bill Sandifer. We still have a long way to go with disability rights in this state, but we have taken a huge step forward. HEATHER BLACKWELL West Columbia Biggest surprise: The world has caught up with the United States in basketball.
Best individual performances : The Belgium woman who won gold in the marathon and bronze in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters; Steph Curry and, of course, Simone Biles. Gender parity: It was the most gender-balanced Summer Games in history, including boxers, skateboarders and karate combatants. Changing times: Europe is now multiracial, much like the United States and Canada.
Continuing benefit: Title IX rolls on. Women won 60% of the U.S.
medals, including gold for the soccer and basketball teams. Not once noticed: The absence of any Russian flags. No award?: Tom Cruise should have received some sort of medal.
And finally: The French did it right. Is Paris not the most beautiful city in the world? RICH BENNETT Mount Pleasant Summerville area residents are not-so-patiently waiting for news of the road construction beginning to accommodate the residents of the 473 apartments being built at U.S.
Highway 78 and the Berlin G. Myers Parkway. Without expansion of both roads, gridlock is inevitable, road rage predictable and citizen uprising expected.
There is also a medical facility planned there. If any patients should need emergency care while at the facility, it could be difficult for an ambulance or EMS services to get there quickly. They might need a helicopter instead.
What is our planning staff thinking? JANE ORENSTEIN Summerville I would like to thank the Publix grocery stores for a new service. There are kiosks as shoppers enter the front of the stores that have advertising fliers with the week’s specials. On a lower rack are pages that children can take home and color while the parent puts away the groceries.
Now, on the bottom shelf are fliers about safety awareness for shoppers. I urge everyone to take one and read it to help them become aware of dangers. I would urge all shoppers to take note.
And I appreciate how Publix takes care to make us safe and happy. RUTH SLOGGETT Mount Pleasant What’s on your mind? Join our community conversations and let your voice be heard by writing a letter to the editor. Letters can be a maximum of 250 words and are subject to editing for clarity, tone and libel.
They must include the writer’s name and city for publication and a daytime telephone number for verification. Email your submissions to [email protected] or fill out the form on our online portal .
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