Dear Friends:
My challenge: How do I summarize this year’s legislative session in one newsletter? Brevity counts. I will try my best.
The first year of the 2025-2026 legislative session was consequential, in my view. We succeeded in passing a bold, conservative roadmap for building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous South Carolina.
Delivering Historic Tax Cuts
One of the most exciting accomplishments this year was the passage of a conservative income tax plan that puts our state on a responsible path to eliminating the state income tax. It reduces government spending and allocates more than $400 million for immediate tax relief. It lowers the top marginal rate from 6.2% to 5.39% and charts a path toward a flat rate of 1.99%, eventually reaching complete elimination if economic conditions continue to improve. The House passed this bill late into the night during the final week of the session. It is now in the Senate, where it will be debated starting next January.
Promoting Business-Friendly Policies
In the commitment to make SC the best place in America to live, work, and build a business, House
Republicans championed the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act. It eliminates outdated regulations, prevents unelected bureaucrats from imposing new rules without oversight, and helps ensure that entrepreneurs and job creators can grow without being hindered by excessive red tape.
We also tackled the skyrocketing cost of liquor liability insurance, which has been crushing SC’s hospitality industry. This has been one of my top priorities for the past two years: delivering real relief to restaurants, bars, and VFW posts across our state. This landmark legislation includes sweeping liquor liability reform and long-overdue updates to our state’s joint and several liability laws. It ensures businesses are only held responsible for their share of fault, not punished for the actions of others.
Fueling SC’s Booming Economy
South Carolina’s rapid population and economic growth demand strong, forward-thinking policies. The South Carolina Energy Security Act was passed and signed into law by Governor McMaster. This major reform package expands generation capacity, promotes an all-of-the-above approach to energy, and ensures that our power grid remains reliable and affordable, even during periods of peak demand.
We also passed a comprehensive funding bill that included significant infrastructure investments in roads, bridges, water, sewer, and rural development. It also included targeted tax credits for businesses offering childcare and expanded workforce development programs that support our growing economy.
Expanding Educational Opportunities
One of the most transformative wins of the year was the passage and signing into law of a bill that dramatically expands school choice and opens up Education Scholarship Trust Funds to roughly 85% of families by 2027. House Republicans were instrumental in crafting a version that will withstand future legal challenges while giving families more options to find the best fit for their child.
The House also advanced two bills supporting workforce training and dual enrollment opportunities, helping students prepare for careers in high-demand fields. To ensure that public schools focus on education rather than indoctrination, the House acted to prohibit divisive DEI programming in public schools and colleges.
And, significantly, this year’s budget provided significant teacher pay raises, strengthened school board accountability, and invested in school safety. These efforts will support students, parents, and educators alike.
Prioritizing Public Safety and Law-and-Order Policies
The legislature took a strong stand against distracted driving. I have championed this legislation for eight years since I first filed the DUI-E bill, Driving Under the Influence of Electronics. It was an appropriate moniker, but the bill that finally passed is the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act. It increases penalties and enhances enforcement while protecting individual rights. It’s simple; it requires putting the phone down and focusing on driving. Governor McMaster signed the bill into law, which takes effect September 1.
Thankfully, Fentanyl usage is declining, but the drug continues to ravage communities across our state. I strongly supported the passage of a bill that makes it a felony to provide fentanyl that results in a death knowingly. The Governor quickly signed the bill into law.
The House also passed legislation to increase penalties for fleeing law enforcement and make high-speed chases a felony in cases involving aggravating behavior, and the Governor signed it into law.
Keeping the public safe in this digital age is a challenging task. We passed legislation that protects victims from a growing form of online abuse. Another much-needed new law criminalizes the unauthorized sharing of intimate images, including AI-generated “deepfakes.”
We fully funded the hiring of a School Resource Officer (SRO) in every public school, increased pay across law enforcement agencies, and invested in criminal justice initiatives, including the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which saw a 143% surge in cases last year.
Strengthening Families and Communities
This year, House Republicans led passage of a bill to reaffirm the rights of South Carolinians to protect their private property. We also advanced the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act to block financial institutions from using special codes to track or report lawful firearm purchases.
Meanwhile, Representatives unanimously supported the Senate’s effort to restructure and streamline SC’s public health system. S.2 — now signed into law — consolidates agencies and ensures a more accountable, efficient approach to protecting public health and responding to emergencies.
Through the state budget that takes effect on July 1, House Republican Caucus members ensured that communities across the state received the needed support for storm recovery, public health, and rural infrastructure improvements.
Federal Pushback
My frequent readers are aware that, for over a decade, I have led federalist initiatives in the House to restore the Constitutional balance between Washington, D.C., and the sovereign authority of the states. We took another step forward with the passage of the Article V Convention of States Resolution to enact term limits on Congress. We are the fourth state to pass this Resolution since December.
Saving, Not Spending
Folks are quick to accuse governments of spending every tax dollar. Not so in SC. The new state budget
prudently stashes away $1.2 billion in the rainy-day fund. Another $500 million in unexpected revenue was unspent, in case unforeseen issues arise. $1.2 billion was cut in unnecessary federal and other funds authorizations, reducing the total state budget. Additionally, the budget provides $1 billion in direct tax relief, comprising $800 million to maintain property taxes for owner-occupied homes at low levels compared to other states.
Looking Ahead
The legislative session has ended, but legislative work never stops. Committees continue to meet year-round, and I remain committed to providing constituent service. If I can be of assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Thank you, President Trump, for keeping America safe and tamping down the Mideast war.
