Coronavirus

SC lawmaker fights COVID measures and mask rule he calls 'test vote' for state mandate

Hill did not join the overwhelming majority of his colleagues in wearing a face covering on the floor of the statehouse when lawmakers began their session in Columbia last week, and he is opposing a proposed rule that would require people to wear masks at meetings of a legislative committee on which he serves.

Upstate barber sues Gov. McMaster over COVID-19 shutdown

Rep. Jonathon Hill said he's proud that McCurry is taking on the issue. "I think the state law is clear, but no one has called (the governor) on it until now. I'm glad the courts are being asked to look at this."

House votes amendments to Continuing Resolution, state agencies funded through July

"Are you not concerned over the civil liberties implications of giving DHEC certain information that perhaps you are not sick, but you have been in contact or might have been in contact with someone who at some point down the road tested positive?" Hill asked on the House floor.

SC Republicans want a legislative check on Gov. McMaster's emergency power

Rep. Jonathon Hill (R-Anderson) said he has heard many stories from business owners like Bethany Haile, who owns a Clemson hair salon, Bethanys Studio 1, and an Easley cosmetology school, Upstate College of Cosmetology.

SC lawmakers want to overrule McMaster, end state of emergency & reopen businesses

"The Governor clearly isn’t listening to the people, and the legislature is derelict in our duty as representatives of the people if we do not reconvene immediately to bring a safe and swift end to the shutdown,” Hill said.

McMaster letter to lawmakers doesn’t mean business closures will last into June, spokesman says

Rep. Jonathon Hill posted a copy of a letter from McMaster that Hill says went out to the legislature Thursday afternoon. “Returning before May 14 for session, even briefly, could place the health and safety of [the legislature] at an elevated risk…,” the letter states. “However, I believe - and hope that by late June that risk will have diminished to the extent that businesses and activities in your state may be safely resumed.”

3 Upstate legislators urge Gov. McMaster to allow SC businesses to reopen during pandemic

Despite projections of a coming surge in COVID-19 cases, half of the state's hospital beds are empty and Hill cites that as evidence that "as far as the virus is concerned, the worst is behind us. The economic worst is yet to come," Hill warned. "I think that's time to let folks who are comfortable going to work to go work and let those who want to stay home or take added precautions to do so."