Letter to the editor: Sumter, a tale of 2 cities: The haves and have nots

I am amazed how the county's chairman and the city's mayor sleep at night while a large number of Sumter citizens are struggling to survive and obtain basic living. The House speaker vowed to close loopholes in the state's election (1) and our local governments along with the state are preparing for the 2024 and 2025 budget. The questions for elected and individuals seeking our vote should be: What have you done or will do to improve Sumter?

As South Carolina legislators put together a $15 billion budget, I would ask Team Sumter, the mayor and the House speaker to consider expanding the Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to people who are 200 percent above the poverty level. Currently these programs only help people whose income is less than $1,000 per month. It is shameful that people whose income is between $1,000 and $2,000 are not able to afford medical treatment or nutritional meals every day. So, voters, if elected officials or those seeking election do not want to expand Medicaid seriously consider voting for them.

The House speaker vowed to close loopholes in the election this year. I am very concerned with the South Carolina Code of Laws Section 7-13-40 that allows someone to live in a district at the close of the filing date and seek election in another district. This is the best way for a candidate to hedge their bet. I hope this year's state budget will include money to improve the North Main, Manning Avenue corridor along with the Manning Avenue bridge which are state highways. The Penny for Progress should only pay the city and county portion of the projects.

I would ask the House speaker or The Sumter Item to list the highway projects for Sumter in the next year's state budget.

I hope the mayor, county chair and Team Sumter will tell the voters what their plans and priorities are in helping our children, disabled, seniors and working poor next year.

#A United Sumter, God bless the U.S.A.

(1) https://tinyurl.com/mrjtn6cp

REGINALD EVANS

Sumter