SC Gov. McMaster takes lead on Midlands state offices hazardous weather closures
Next time South Carolina has hazardous weather conditions, state employees in Richland and Lexington counties will have to look to the governor’s office about whether to report to the office.
Gov. Henry McMaster on Thursday issued an executive order to have him decide whether state offices in the two Midlands counties stay open during hazardous weather.
Previously, as in the 44 other counties, the state offices followed closure decisions made by county government officials where the state offices are located, unless otherwise directed by the governor.
But Richland and Lexington counties are home to thousands of state employees, state agencies and state-supported colleges and universities.
“This change will also ensure that citizens in all parts of the state have consistent access to the critical state government services their tax dollars pay for, especially during emergencies,” McMaster said in a news release.
McMaster requested a study on hazardous weather closures in November, but closures decisions in January because of a snow storm led to push back from the governor’s office.
The University of South Carolina and Midlands Tech announced closures for a snowstorm, because Richland County government offices announced they would be closed.
McMaster’s office then on X said all state offices in Richland and Lexington would be open and employees should report as normal.
