April 13th Update 

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Happy Palm Sunday, and a Blessed Passover! 

As we enter Holy Week, in which we recognize the days and activities leading up to Easter Sunday, I am reminded of the fact that the celebration of Passover was the reason Jesus and his Disciples went to Jerusalem at that time. Passover began last evening and runs through the 20th, Easter Sunday. The first Passover was on May 4, 1451 B.C. While our cultural differences in America exist side-by-side, it is amazing that these two most important religious holidays are closely intertwined despite being over a thousand years apart in origin. Regardless of your religious beliefs and cultural habits, may we all strive to focus on what binds us together instead of dwelling on our differences so often. 

Focusing on Law & Order:

In South Carolina, crimes against families, children, and our communities are taken seriously. The legislators who pass laws to protect victims, hold criminals accountable, and support law enforcement are members of a proven team known as the South Carolina House Republican Caucus. This is the work we were elected to do. This week, our Minority Leader, a criminal defense attorney was detained in a court case all day Wednesday, and we were able to move through a number of bills that protect victims against crimes, and hold criminals accountable with legislation much more rapidly than usual. It would probably disturb many South Carolinians to know how many important bills are delayed or never passed due to technical tactics by the minority party. 

With just four weeks left in this year’s legislative session, we continued working to advance the conservative, common-sense policies our communities expect — including major public safety reforms to protect families, support victims, and crack down on violent crime. Every bill that passed this week ties directly back to our House Republican Caucus agenda pillar: Prioritize Public Safety and Law-and-Order Policies to ensure all South Carolinians can live, work, and thrive with confidence and peace of mind. 

Holding Fentanyl Dealers Accountable (S.156):

Fentanyl continues to tear apart families in our state. That’s why I proudly voted for a bill that makes it a felony — punishable by up to 30 years — for anyone who unlawfully provides fentanyl that results in someone’s death. This is about saving lives and putting drug dealers behind bars where they belong.

Cracking Down on Retail Theft (H.3523):

Organized retail theft is a growing threat in South Carolina. It puts store employees at risk, hurts small businesses, and drives up prices for everyone. I voted for — and the Governor signed — a new law that increases penalties for these crimes and targets the criminals organizing them. It’s a big win for public safety and economic security.

Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence (H.3569):

Victims of domestic violence shouldn’t be trapped in a lease with their abuser. That’s why I supported legislation that gives victims the right to end their lease early — without penalty — if the abuser is a co-tenant. It’s a small but powerful change that will help people escape dangerous situations and start over safely.

Making Our Roads Safer (H.3276):

Distracted driving is a deadly problem, and I was voted for the South Carolina Hands-Free Act. This bill bans the use of handheld devices while driving — with limited exceptions — and creates penalties to hold distracted drivers accountable. This is about saving lives and making our roads safer for everyone. While it still has to pass the Senate, I recommend that if you don't have a holder that supports your phone easily for use while driving, this would be a good purchase. Also, setting up Bluetooth either with your vehicle or other ear devices for hands free would be a helpful way to avoid having to punch in phone numbers while driving.

Stopping Dangerous Police Chases (H.3127):

Running from law enforcement isn’t just reckless — it’s dangerous. I voted for a bill that makes fleeing from police a felony when the driver engages in dangerous behavior during the chase. If you put lives at risk, you’ll face serious consequences.

Protecting Children from Digital Exploitation (H.3045 & H.3046):

As technology advances, so do the threats it can pose — especially to our children. This week, I voted for two critical bills that take aim at some of the most disturbing forms of child exploitation we’ve seen emerge in the digital age. The first bill ensures that anyone caught creating or distributing obscene images of child sexual abuse faces serious legal consequences and is added to the sex offender registry — where they belong. The second addresses a newer, fast-growing threat: digitally altered or AI-generated sexual images of minors. These “morphed” images may not depict a real child, but they are no less harmful. They fuel the exploitation of children and distort the very laws designed to protect them. Under this bill, that conduct will now be a felony. There is no place for this kind of exploitation in South Carolina. These bills send a clear message: we will protect our children — no matter how rapidly technology changes.

Keeping Kids Safe Online (H.3431):

Back in February, I supported a bill that strengthens protections for minors online. It requires social media companies to verify users’ ages, obtain parental consent for minors, and provide tools for parents to monitor and control their children’s online activity. We must give parents the power to protect their kids in the digital age.

Training for First Responders Regarding Autistic/Neurodivergent Individuals (H.3285):

April is National Autism Awareness Month. What a great time to pass a bill I proposed, H.3285, Training for First Responders Regarding Autistic/Neurodivergent Individuals. My bill passed through the House unanimously on Tuesday, and received a Third Reading on Wednesday. Now, it's on to the Senate. I will reach out to the correct committee in the Senate to make sure it is heard in time to pass and be signed by the Governor this year. Together with the JustBee license tag, my bill from last year that became law, this bill will help make families with an autistic member feel safer and have much better interactions with any first responders.


Delivering on Our Promise to Protect:

The South Carolina House Republican Caucus has made a clear commitment to law and order — and this week, we backed that promise with action. From cracking down on fentanyl traffickers and online predators to standing with law enforcement and giving them the tools they need, I’m proud to support legislation that puts public safety first. These bills reflect what I believe in: real, meaningful policies that protect our communities, our families, and the values we share.
 

Reading Through the Entire Bible on the State House Steps:

On Wednesday morning before Session, I joined fellow House Members taking a turn to read 15 minutes of a passage from the Bible. This effort began last Sunday and went for 90 continuous hours from Genesis to Revelation. It is sponsored by Capital Bible Reading Marathon, and is an annual event in many different State Capitals. The passage I read this year was Hosea 3 - 7. If you haven't read Hosea lately, it is a very sobering book of how terrible mankind had become and how angry God was at the behavior. Speaker Pro-Tempore Tommy Pope followed me at the podium, and I later remarked to him how rough this passage was. He said, " It didn't get any better in the passage I read. I'm just so glad Jesus came along for us." What a fitting way to prepare for the week ahead!

Around the District and the Lowcountry:


Imagine living in a neighborhood where your drainage system is entirely dependent on open ditches running along the front of your house by the street. Now think of what happens when those ditches become overgrown so badly that the pipes are blocked. Every time it rains, the water fills up the ditches, overflows into the yard, and sometimes reaches the front porch of your home. The system in place to remedy this is to report your house number online, and then the County or SCDOT comes out to clear your ditches. But where does the water go when all of your neighbors have the same problem? If you try putting all your neighbors' homes into the same online system, it is rejected for overloading the system. Not only is the flooding during a storm, or even high tide terrible, but the aftermath of mosquitoes breeding is a huge problem. This week, I met with representatives from each of our historic settlement communities in Mount Pleasant. Many of these neighborhoods' drainage systems have not been maintained in many years. I reached out to my contact at SCDOT, and will be doing "field trips" with the local team to several of these neighborhoods so they can determine what needs to be done not only to clear the ditches now, but get them on a regular maintenance rotation every year or so. This is just one of a number of problems these folks face regularly, and they all have solutions if we as their Representatives take time to listen and then act.

Goodwill Industries hosted a breakfast for Representatives and Staff on Thursday morning. I stopped by to say hello, and met several folks from Palmetto Goodwill, who oversee our location here in Mount Pleasant. I thanked them for all they do. This Goodwill stays very busy between those who generously donate items on a regular basis, and those who shop for vintage treasures at a great price. 


Finally, former Congressman Henry Brown came to visit us in the State House on Wednesday. He and I became acquainted when I ran for Congress back in 2019, and it was great to see him again. Henry served in the SC State House beginning in 1985, and in 1994 became Chairman of Ways & Means, delivering the largest tax cut in state history! In 2001, he ran for Congress and served 5 terms representing the 1st District before deciding not to run for another term.

Thank you for continuing to receive and read these newsletters. I hope they are helpful in providing updates on what is going on in state legislation. Please let me know any concerns or questions you have. As always, please consider sharing with friends, neighbors and family as well. Anyone can sign up to receive them by scrolling down to the bottom of the page here and submitting their email.