Dear Friends:
South Carolina is a top destination for those moving from other states. As most of us appreciate, our business and taxpayer-friendly policies make SC a great place to live and do business. As a result, our economy is thriving, and state services must increase to match growth.
State Budget Unveiled
The first version of next year’s state budget was approved by the House Ways & Means Committee Wednesday following many weeks of public hearings with state agencies. The General Fund budget totals $13.19 billion.
Perspective: During the last few years through the pandemic, the state had large budget surpluses used to address priorities. Budget growth has started to return to historical norms, and as a result, there is less new money. For example, lottery funds are down $48 million from last year, and the state budget’s general fund is $700 million less than last year, excluding the Scout incentives.
With the post-COVID boom subsiding, expectations need to be reset. Even with a surplus, this is a leaner budget, which requires state agencies to efficiently use their new and existing resources.
Tax Relief: This budget started with almost $1.7 billion in new money. One-third of that money is automatically committed to funding our reserves and tax relief obligations.
There is over $1.4 billion in direct tax relief in this budget, including $500 million for property tax relief for homeowners and $100 billion more for individual income tax cuts. This takes us to an $800 million yearly tax cut for South Carolina citizens.
Teacher Pay: This initial budget continues the state’s commitment to teacher retention, with the largest of this year’s proposed raises going to the lowest-paid teachers but with all teachers receiving a raise this year. The $230 million increase in state aid to classrooms would ensure public school teachers would be paid at least $47,000 a year, up from $42,500. The Palmetto State Teachers Association applauded the move, stating that this budget is a meaningful commitment and investment in retaining teachers.
Our Vets: SC continues to be the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation, with a substantial commitment to the veterans’ nursing homes being built around the state.
Fixing Bridges: This budget calls for improving our state’s infrastructure with the investment of $200 million more in replacing or repairing our bridges, of which 60 percent are rated as deteriorating or unsafe. This additional investment is required to speed up SCDOT’s 10-year bridge program.
Long Process: The proposed budget passed by the committee this week is the first step in a very long process. As a budget committee member, I believe we crafted a good starting point. Undoubtedly, there will be changes when all the votes are taken. Stay tuned.
LEGISLATIVE BRIEFS
Help Not Harm
Last month, the House passed the Help Not Harm bill (H.4624) that bans transgender care for those under 18. This week, a key Senate subcommittee gave its first approval vote to advance the legislation to the full committee. Senators held three public hearings. Senators heard competing testimony from supporters, who say the proposal will protect children from life-altering medical procedures, and opponents, who say it will only harm transgender youths’ mental health.
Constitutional Carry
The Senate will defend its position on a bill allowing South Carolinians to openly carry guns without a permit following the House voted last week to reject several amendments added by the Senate. This means the bill (H.3594) will go to a conference committee to determine if the House and Senate can work out their differences.
DEI Under the Microscope
A House committee took testimony in preparation for creating a bill to prevent public universities from weighing diversity, equity, and inclusion in their hiring and admissions policies. The legislation is expected to be a hybrid of two separate bills seeking to eliminate one’s race, sex, and national origin from consideration in university policies.
One of those bills, H.4289, is narrow in scope and would apply only to college admissions practices. The second, H.4290, is substantially broader, banning so-called DEI policies from being used in every area of university policy, from their admissions and hiring practices to their ability to hold diversity training and apply for federal grants that emphasize DEI.
Both bills come after a US Supreme Court decision striking down the use of affirmative action in college admissions policy last June.
Insurance Investigations
The Senate passed a bill (S.957) that would authorize the SC Department of Insurance to conduct market-based examinations of health insurers and HMO providers to evaluate the cost and products offered by insurers. The bill would also ensure specific investigations are confidential to prevent disclosure of citizens’ private information. The bill was sent to the House.
SC is a Global State
As the 8th largest US container port, SC Ports is our state’s gateway to the world, helping SC companies thrive.
A new report shows that SC’s 2023 export sales totaled $37.3 billion, defying the national trend where US exports were down 2.2%. Since 2013, SC exports have grown at an average rate of 4.4% year-to-year. Over the same period, US exports grew at an average rate of 3% year-to-year. The automotive industry led SC’s exported goods, with sales more than double those of the next largest industry type (aircraft and aerospace components). The state remains the nation’s top exporter of tires and a national leader in completed passenger vehicles.
Commenting on the report, Governor Henry McMaster said, “By sending locally made goods throughout the world, we can continue to create more jobs and careers for South Carolinians while helping expand our economy.”
South Carolina Politics
After Saturday, your phone and email should be much quieter. Most of us have been receiving numerous text messages a day – and that’s just from one of the presidential candidates.
It is vital that every Republican vote in Saturday’s Presidential Preference Primary. Your voter voice will be heard around the nation and the world. SC’s primary is the first in the South and serves as a bell-weather vote. It’s often said that SC picks presidents.
This Saturday, the Republican Presidential Preference Primary will be held. Be aware that many precincts are combined to vote at one location, so your polling place on Saturday may not be where you usually vote. To determine where your precinct will vote in Aiken County, check out this list of polling locations.
If you voted in the Democratic Presidential Primary on February 3, you cannot also vote in the February 24 Republican Presidential Primary.
On Wednesday, I joined former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy as he campaigned for Donald Trump in Aiken County. The rally and news conference were held at the AGY manufacturing plant. AGY is the last American company making high-performance glass fiber yarns; China has garnered 80% of the world market.
Ramaswamy opened his remarks with this, “This isn’t a war between Republicans and Democrats; it is a war between those of us who love America and its founding ideals versus a fringe minority who hates this country and what we stand for. More than ever, we need a commander in chief who will lead us to victory in this war, and that will be Donald J. Trump.”
Ramaswamy concluded his talk this way:
“If you want a country that makes goods right here at home and that stands for our national security right here at home – I am asking you to Vote Trump.”
“If you want to secure the border – I am asking you to Vote Trump.”
“If you want to revive our national identity and pride in our next generation of Americans – I am asking you to Vote Trump.”
“If you want to stand up for our children to have a better life – I am asking you to Vote Trump.”
“If you want to revive the American dream where every kid, no matter their skin color, can get ahead with their own hard work, commitment, and dedication – I am asking you to Vote Trump.”
“If you want to make America great again – I am asking you to Vote Trump.”
“Nikki is Always about Nikki“
Recently, I stood on the State House steps with Attorney General Alan Wilson, State Treasurer Curtis Loftis, and a host of colleagues supporting President Trump. I shared my experience of serving with Nikki Haley. That video was featured on the Trump War Room this week.
Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) on X
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
During his visit to Aiken Wednesday, former Republican Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy happily autographed the ‘Aiken Stump’ while its creators, Claude, and Sunny O’Donovan, cheered him on.
Want to Know More?
Do you want to learn more about my positions, bill sponsorships, voting record, and past writings? Here are some handy links:
- About Me: https://taylorschouse.com/about-2/
- My Positions: https://taylorschouse.com/issues/
- Sponsored Bill & Voting Record: http://tiny.cc/b1pouz
- Recent Newsletters: https://taylorschouse.com/category/newsletter/
I’m Available & AT YOUR SERVICE

It is my honor to be of service. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance navigating state government or have any thoughts or concerns about the legislature.
In Your Service,
Email: Bill@taylorschouse.com
www.TaylorSCHouse.com
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Legal Notice: This newsletter is not a solicitation for contributions to any SC registered lobbyist.