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Dear Friends:

South Carolina’s legislative session has been moving at “Trump Speed,” with the finish line just five weeks away, we’re not slowing down.

Topping this week’s news, the House of Representatives whacked the ‘WOKE WORLD’ with legislation that defends merit-based opportunity and protects children and families from emerging threats from artificial intelligence.

Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity

As part of our commitment to remove harmful DEI programs from our educational institutions and state government, the House passed the Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity Act (H.3927). There were nearly seven hours of contentious debate, with Democrats lashing out at Republican Representatives, President Trump, Elon Musk, and anyone else they could wrangle into their accusations of racism. The final vote of 82-32 was split along party lines.

This landmark legislation makes SC the first state in the country to turn President Trump’s executive order on DEI into law – eliminating race and gender-based preferences and restoring a fair, merit-driven system.

• Bans DEI-based hiring, admissions, and contract preferences in public institutions
• Prohibits forced DEI statements and mandates
• Protects civil rights and enforces oversight through the Inspector General and Attorney General
• Ensures public universities aren’t bound by accreditors that demand illegal DEI mandates
• Preserves lawful veteran preferences, disability accommodations, and First Amendment rights

This bill is a critical step toward restoring fairness, ending illegal discrimination, and ensuring your tax dollars aren’t spent promoting divisive ideology.

Strengthening Protections Against Child Exploitation

The Internet can be illuminating, but it is also sinister. House Republicans are committed to prioritizing public safety and protecting children from “deepfake” digital exploitation. This week, the House passed H.3045. This legislation creates felony-level penalties for the production or possession of digitally manipulated child sexual abuse material – even if the child depicted does not actually exist. It also adds the offense to the sex offender registry and establishes a clear legal framework for prosecuting these heinous acts. This bill mirrors federal law and is a critical update to our state laws in the digital age, ensuring SC has the tools to protect our most vulnerable.

Senate Committee Sinks Simmer Nomination

A Senate committee voted not to advance Gov. Henry McMaster’s choice for director of the newly created Department of Public Health. A request to advance Dr. Ed Simmer’s bid failed 5-12. All 12 senators who opposed Simmer were Republicans. Simmer led DHEC during the pandemic and has been accused of being “Fauci-like.” An accusation he denies. It is unlikely his nomination can be revived. However, Gov. Henry McMaster states he is resolute in supporting Simmer.

Senate Approves Energy Bill

On Thursday, the Senate approved a major, 72-page energy bill (H.3309) to ensure SC meets energy needs. The bill streamlines the regulatory process for electric utilities seeking to build and operate new power plants. It requires regulatory agencies, like the Office of Regulatory Staff and the Public Service Commission, to act on applications to build new facilities within six months. Additionally, it provides for appeals of state regulatory decisions to go directly to the state Supreme Court and be considered as soon as possible to end legal challenges that drag on for years and delay needed projects. The legislation also gives state-owned utility Santee Cooper the OK to partner with Dominion Energy to build and operate a new 2,200-megawatt gas plant at Canadys in Colleton County. The bill returns to the House with Senate amendments.

LOOKING AHEAD

FINALLY, Hands-Free Driving is Ready for House Debate

Eight years in the making! I introduced the first ‘Hands-Free’ (Phone Down, Eyes Up) legislation in 2018. The first iteration was titled DUI-E, Driving Under the Influence of Electronics. That was an appropriate name since distracted driving is 6 times more dangerous than drunk driving.

The Hands-Free bills have had many committee hearings over the years, but this is the first time one has made it to the House floor. Likely, the threat from the federal government to withhold millions of dollars in highway funding if we don’t pass a hands-free law was a partial impetus. Regardless, I’m eager for the debate because South Carolinians want safer roads. Polling shows 85% of South Carolinians support a law that requires drivers to put down their phones.

Preparing Students for Tomorrow’s Jobs

To fulfill our goal of expanding educational opportunities and enhancing outcomes, I strongly support two forward-thinking bills that cleared the House Education and Public Works Committee this week and will soon be headed to the House floor.

• The South Carolina Computer Science Education Initiative Act (3201) will ensure that by the 2026–2027 school year, every public high school offers at least one rigorous, career-relevant computer science course. The bill also lays the groundwork for career pathways in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, information systems, and software development—starting as early as elementary school.
• The South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act (3863) creates a statewide STEM coalition to align education and workforce development, particularly in underserved areas. It promotes hands-on learning, strengthens teacher training, and builds pipelines for SC students to enter high-paying careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Holding Fentanyl Dealers Accountable 

The fentanyl crisis is ravaging communities across our state. On the calendar for debate is the Drug-Induced Homicide Bill (S.156). This legislation would make it a felony – punishable by up to 30 years in prison – for anyone who unlawfully provides fentanyl that results in an overdose death. It also ensures that a victim’s personal drug use does not shield a dealer from prosecution.

Protecting Your Second Amendment Rights

A House Judiciary subcommittee advanced H.3930, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act. This bill prevents government agencies from keeping financial records that could be used to track or surveil lawful firearm purchases—except in the case of legitimate criminal investigations. This is a commonsense protection of your constitutional rights, and I’m proud to support it.

Supporting Firefighters Who Put Their Lives on the Line

A House Committee passed H.3163, a bill that expands workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters. It ensures that if a firefighter suffers a stroke while actively fighting a fire, responding to a rescue, or participating in strenuous training, that condition is presumed to be job-related. It’s a simple way to honor and support those who bravely serve our communities.

LEGISLATIVE SPOTLIGHT

Not Easy to Slash Taxes

Last week, I heralded the unveiling of a proposed monumental shift in state tax policy – a reform that would cut the state’s top income tax rate by nearly 40% from 6.2% to a flat tax of 3.99%, including triggers to go lower to 2.49% over time—and eventually to ZERO! Lowering the state’s income tax will increase economic growth. Citizens will keep more earnings, increasing consumer spending, job creation, and business expansion.

While most everyone hates paying their income tax, nearly half of Americans pay nothing, and 44% of South Carolina tax filers pay no income tax. Our state’s progressive tax system is tethered to the federal government’s loophole-riddled income tax. That means some South Carolina millionaires pay no state income tax, and low and middle filers pay the current high rate.

Conservatives know a flat, fair tax is better. However, tax policy is difficult to change because the winds of resistance are strong.

During testimony before our W&M subcommittee, Candace Carroll, with Americans for Prosperity SC, stated, “By reducing the state income tax rate to a flat 3.99%, this bill provides much-needed relief to families, small businesses, and workers across the state. With neighboring states continuing to lower their tax burdens, we must act to remain competitive and attract investment. A lower, more predictable tax rate will help keep South Carolina a top destination for businesses and families looking for opportunities.”

Raw Politics… Within days of announcing the proposed tax reform, SC’s newspaper headlines and editorials screamed about unfairness and how the “poor” would have to pay taxes (even those earning under $30,000 are exempt). Editorials have abounded. You would think the SC’s newspapers are aligned with the Democrat Party (Psst, that’s sarcasm). And you can take it to the bank that my Democrat colleagues hate flat and fair taxes. They prefer progressive taxes, which are mired in class warfare by picking winners and punishing losers.

Nasty politics is exhausting. The so-called Freedom Caucus (Clowns) is leading the disruptive politics in this tax transition. Many of my constituents received this text image as I was heading to the State House Tuesday morning. The “clowns” are what former Vice President Spiro Agnew might have labeled “the nattering nabobs of negativism.”  The Freedom Caucus is always pushing misleading narratives. They prefer to disrupt and shine the spotlight on themselves rather than work with sensible legislators in crafting the best policy possible.

As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee budget committee, I worked this week with staff and other members of the committee in developing tax models that improve this flat tax proposal to lessen the burden on individuals who previously paid little or no state income tax, who may pay slightly more in the first years of the flat tax. My prediction — the flat tax signed into law will be improved over the initial version introduced. Republicans want to lighten the tax burden on citizens.

The TRUTH… Brush aside the political noise and learn the truth about SC’s proposed switch to a flat income tax. The analysis comes from the independent think tank Palmetto Promise Institute. Wendy Damron, the President and CEO of Palmetto Promise, tackles these tax reform topics:

• THE TRUTH ABOUT YEAR ONE

• LEAVING THE SYSTEM ‘AS-IS’ ISN’T AN OPTION

• NO, YOU CAN’T GET TO ZERO OVERNIGHT

• GOT A BETTER PLAN? LET’S SEE IT…

• THE BIGGER VISION

Read her thoughtful analysis here: No Tax Bill Is Perfect.

BOOMING Aiken County

This week, the Aiken Standard highlighted that Aiken County’s population has increased by more than 10,000 people over the last four years to nearly 180,000 residents. Aiken County’s growth is part of a larger trend: people leaving the Northeast and Midwest for the South and West. The article featured my wife, Donna, explaining why Aiken County is so attractive. 

According to Realtor Donna Taylor, history, culture, horses, arts, entertainment, education, and jobs bring a variety of folks to Aiken.

“What keeps them here seems to be the Aiken’s ability to maintain its charm and beauty by protecting its rich history,” Taylor continued. You’ll find a downtown area dominated by steeples, old streetlights, boulevards, and historic structures. The railroad and Winter Colony influence features grand homes surrounded by towering trees and dirt roads. Hitchcock Woods, Rye Patch, Hopelands Gardens, and the Conde Nast acclaimed Willcox hotel. Every equine interest is represented in some way.”

Aiken County’s residents also help sell the area, Taylor said. 

“Common declarations from potential new residents are ‘People talk to each other here,’ ‘People are so helpful,’ and “This is a friendly place,'” Taylor said. “We’re located midway between the mountains and the ocean and have a mild climate.” 

BONUS READING

Artificial Intelligence is Being Moved Forward in South Carolina

South Carolina’s state government is taking bold steps to ensure the state’s workforce, government, and economy are prepared for the era of artificial intelligence. The strategy is to foster collaboration among the state’s research institutions and increase the efficiency of state agencies.

Rep. Jeff Bradley, who chairs the House committee focused on Artificial Intelligence & Cybersecurity, said, “AI is rapidly reshaping the way we work, learn, and govern,” said Bradley. “Our mission is to position South Carolina at the forefront of this transformation—ensuring our state is not only prepared but also a leader in the responsible and effective use of AI.”

To learn more about AI developments in state government, click AI Being Moved Forward in South Carolina.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to Rep. Bill Hixon for receiving the South Carolina Homebuilders ‘Legislator of the Year’ award this week. Bill is my friend and desk mate on the House floor for more than a decade. As Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Bill has been instrumental in passing legislation to aid home building in South Carolina.