Support bill that prevents serving a lesser meal to children due to unpaid balances

Do not punish child

Did you know that even a child who qualifies for free lunch may not get a full, nutritious meal at school?

If a family has a previous balance with the school cafeteria that they are unable to clear, their child may be served an “alternative” meal.

South Carolina House Bill 3319 addresses this problem and makes sure that eligible children continue to receive a full, nutritious meal while their family works on handling the balance they may owe.

As a teacher, parent, grandparent and Save the Children Action Network volunteer in Richland County, I have watched what hunger does to a child. Studies show that proper nutrition and students’ ability to concentrate and thrive go hand-in-hand.

I am excited that our legislators are doing the right thing to help children with their basic needs and allow them to blossom in their classrooms.

Approve House Bill 3319.

Judith Ryan, Elgin

Improve nuclear safety

As we follow the news about Ukraine with sorrow and fear, we are reminded of the dangers of nuclear power and the connection to nuclear war. The control of nuclear plants by Russian forces has raised fears of a nuclear disaster.

Unfortunately South Carolina is also vulnerable to nuclear disasters. We have seven operating nuclear reactors in addition to a fuel fabrication facility and a nuclear weapons plant.

There are concerns that the Duke Energy Oconee Nuclear Plant in Seneca lacks adequate protection from a major flooding event or an earthquake.

We have an opportunity to lessen the threat of nuclear meltdown by improving the safety of nuclear power plants and transitioning to clean renewable energy and energy efficiency; however, even with improved safety features, the threat of a nuclear meltdown at nuclear power plants is similar to the threat of nuclear war.

Priscilla Preston, Columbia

Scout assesses war

I am a Life Scout with B.S.A Troop 200, and I would like to give my opinion about what is going on in Ukraine.

I think Russia is invading Ukraine because they have been losing power ever since the end of World War II. It is my belief that to regain power, Vladimir Putin is trying to capture the states of the former Soviet Union in hopes of reassembling them, starting with Ukraine.

By doing this, he believes Russia will regain power by becoming bigger and stronger.

My thought is if Putin does reform what was the former Soviet Union, he will try to attack NATO countries. I believe that even if NATO tries to stop him now, it will probably be the beginning of World War III.

John J. Check, Lady’s Island

No to rebate

There appears to be much discussion these days in the S.C. state legislature regarding the best use of funds made available by federal Covid-related largesse and settlements of legal actions which benefit this state.

One of the proposals being promoted by our Republican majority legislators and governor is an income tax rebate which, from my viewpoint, is merely a political ploy for votes in the upcoming mid-term elections.

I generally identify with Republican values but submit they could help the populace more by taxing all residential real property at the 4% assessment ratio, thereby promoting affordable housing.

Ed Billings, West Columbia