First Summer Update

Sunday, June 9, 2024

The weeks since the end of Session have passed quickly, and this past Wednesday we reconvened in Columbia to elect a new Supreme Court Justice. Judge Letitia Verdin was the unanimous choice after the other two "qualified" choices had stepped down from the process. I have spoken with Judge Verdin several times, and am confident that she will prove to be an excellent choice to serve the people of South Carolina. Her election means we now have five solid conservative judges on the bench, the first time in many years! To read more about Judge Verdin, click here.

In two weeks, we are expecting to return to Columbia for a reconciliation of the 2024-2025 SC State Budget. Having been returned to us by the Senate, and now working its way through the conference committee, we are hopeful that we can resolve the differences, focus on supporting the core functions of government while cutting taxes, and pass this bill as soon as possible from this point. The following week, we will be back again for one day or so to consider Governor McMaster's vetoes.

Around the District and the Lowcountry:
On Monday evening, Rep. Joe Bustos and I attended the Wando High School Band Annual End of Year Celebration in order to present the band members under the leadership of Director Bobby Lambert with a House Resolution. Once again and for 15 years now, Wando High School Band placed as State Champions! We invited the whole band to come to the SC State House to be welcomed into the House Chambers and honored for their tremendous repeat victory. Unfortunately, due to the very large size of the band as well as other scheduling logistics, they were not able to make the trip to Columbia. We are so proud of what the Wando High School Band continues to achieve because of their hard work and great talent, both for their school, Mount Pleasant, Charleston County, and the State of South Carolina. Congratulations to all the band members and their families who support them for their dedication and long hours of practice throughout the school year! You can read the resolution here.

Wednesday night, after driving back from the Supreme Court Justice Election in Columbia, I attended the DHEC Public Hearing at Wando High School. Several hundred members of the community surrounding the 41 corridor showed up, mostly to express great concern about the portion of the current proposed plan that includes a brand new road through Laurel Hill County Park. I spoke for several minutes, and continued to emphasize that the justification for this new road, which is greatly increased traffic in the future, is faulty because it assumes that neighborhoods such as Carolina Park, Darrell Creek, Planters Point, Rivertowne, and Cainhoy will use this new road through the park. To add further credibility to why the "regional traffic models" do not correctly ascertain the traffic patterns used for this plan, I cited my recent effort to run a GPS route from the Publix shopping center on Clements Ferry Road to a number of major destinations in Mount Pleasant, including Costco, Park West Recreation Center, Mount Pleasant Hospital, Hobby Lobby, Oakland Market, and various places along Johnnie Dodds Boulevard. Only one of these recommended routes on GPS actually would direct drivers through the Phillips Community as the fastest route. Every other one either recommended I-526, Half Creek Road off of 41 to points at the northern end of town, or taking 41 just to Dunes West Boulevard, turning left, and continuing on Park West Boulevard eventually to Park Avenue. So why does the "regional modeling" that suggests 9000 cars will come into Mount Pleasant onto 41 everyday apply? I strongly suggest that it does not, and beseeched DHEC to deny the permit so that Charleston County Council can reconsider just doing the 4-3-4 configuration, perhaps with roundabouts at Dunes West Boulevard and at Joe Rouse/Bessemer Road that will meet the needs of the surrounding communities as well as commuter traffic. Thank you to everyone who came out and expressed their concerns to the committee. If you have not submitted your comments on this project's permit yet, you can still do so here.

Thursday was D-Day, the 80th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy. Several years ago, Joe and I had a chance to tour the beaches of Normandy, and hear stories of that day and the weeks to follow. It was very moving to visit the American Cemetery in person, especially after having walked on the beach not far away and imagined the sight of the invading troops of thousands of young soldiers. If you can possibly do so, I urge everyone to travel to this part of the world where the incredibly courageous battle to secure freedom for our allies in Europe was begun. We must never take that freedom for granted.


On Saturday afternoon, our family had a wonderful time at the Charleston County Republican Party's Great All American Picnic! We saw lots of friends, and caught up on news of the upcoming Primary. Some candidates, like James Teeple (SC House 116, Rep. Matt Leber's current seat) and Mike Van Horn for Treasurer of Charleston County are newcomers to politics, and were working hard to introduce themselves to voters even though they don't have a Primary. Chairman Andrew Boucher was seen walking around in his red, white & blue American flag swim trunks, ready to go into the dunking booth. The premise was that if someone wanted to speak to the crowd, they had to be willing to enter the dunking booth brought in for the festivities. With the heat & humidity, I think some candidates & speakers just wanted a chance to go swimming and have fun! Joe, Joseph & I loved running into our favorite candidate this year, already an elected official, a US Air Force Intel Veteran, and 33 year veteran of law enforcement, Councilman (Chief) Carl Ritchie. Carl gives even deeper meaning to the title "the Honorable." We can't wait for this incredibly strong, intelligent, experienced leader, as well as my good friend, to serve and protect us all as Sheriff of Charleston County! As a side note, I recognize that some of you might be supporting another candidate for this position. I respect any true Conservative who takes the time and effort to run for office. Having served on Mount Pleasant Town Council for four years before running for the State House, I can tell you firsthand numerous stories of why we are absolutely certain Carl is the best candidate for Sheriff.


Finally, I urge everyone who has not already voted early to be sure to go to the polls on Tuesday and make your voices heard. Even though those of us in SC District 80 only have two positions to fill in the Primary, Sheriff, and our Congress member, these are both incredibly critical races where electing the right person to face a Democrat in November and serve our community is essential.

Thank you as always for your input, support, and continued interest in receiving these updates. Please let your friends and neighbors know they can sign up here if they would like to be kept updated on our efforts at the State House and in the Lowcountry!