June 8th Update
Sunday, June 8, 2025
Budget Reconciliation a Disappointment:
On Wednesday, May 28th during our Majority Caucus Meeting, I was hoping to bring common sense to our Budget Reconciliation process by urging the Conference Committee members to strike the proviso that had been inserted by the Senate to raise our pay by $18,000 per year beginning July 1st ($25,500 up to the next election in November 2026). The total cost for this proviso is $4,335,000! We had voted against this overwhelmingly when it was brought as an amendment to the budget by a Democrat House Member. We also voted overwhelmingly to strike it from the budget when the Senate first sent their version over to us. Why then, did our Conference Committee Members go along when the Senate Conference Members insisted that they would not pass the budget without the raise? Our Conferees should have countered that we would not vote for a budget with the raise. Instead, they gave in, saying they had "whipped" enough of the Members to know the budget would pass regardless. My group, under Whip Representative Heath Sessions of 6 Members, voted 5-1 against, so I believed we had the support to strike the proviso. In the end, we were told the vote was up or down for the budget with no option to strike the proviso because they had agreed in the Conference Committee Meeting. This was a big disappointment to me, and I was prepared to vote against the Budget.
Then at the last minute, the Speaker offered another option for those of us who felt strongly that this raise was untimely and inappropriate in the way it was proposed. We could turn down the raise until after the next election. That way, at least voters would have an opportunity to weigh in as to whether you think your representative deserves a raise. Because the budget supports so many important issues, including raises for teachers, first responders, and other state workers, as well as major infrastructure dollars, I decided to support the budget but decline the pay raise. For me, this was the only reasonable choice because I did not want to see our state running on a continuing resolution the way Washington, D.C. does. As per the attached form, I declined the raise, but supported all the much-needed programs for our citizens and workers. Unfortunately, by voting for the budget, this set the stage for some of the attack texts and ads you may have already seen regarding my voting for a pay raise. The PACs that are wasting their money attacking many of us did not take into consideration that many of us (at least 20 as of Thursday, and we have until tomorrow's deadline) actually declined the raise.
Highlights of this Year's Final Budget:
✅Delivers Tax Relief: Over $1 billion in direct tax relief, including $290 million in new income tax cuts and $814 million through the Tax Relief Trust Fund to offset property taxes. This continues our long-term push toward flattening, and eventually eliminating, South Carolina’s income tax. You may have heard about the $1 billion of surplus revenue over projections that was announced a couple of weeks ago. While I am not satisfied with how quickly half of that was absorbed into a budget that was already nearly complete at that time, it is important to note that $500 million of this surplus was put in additional reserve to help fund the Tax Cut Plan passed by the House this year. That plan still needs a lot more work, and it resides in the Senate now for consideration in January 2026. The additional reserves already set aside should help move the enhanced tax cut forward much quicker
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✅Strengthens Education: A $1,500 raise for every public school teacher, raising starting pay to $48,500, now higher than Georgia and North Carolina. We’re expanding summer reading camps, increasing 4K funding, and investing $75 million in high-quality instructional materials. Tuition remains frozen for in-state students, and more than $340 million is allocated for scholarships and tuition assistance. I would have liked to see this go to $50,000. Fortunately in Charleston County, the Board had already raised this minimum salary even higher above $50,000. This may account for why we had zero vacancies in teaching positions in Charleston County for the 2024-2025 school year.
✅Supports Law Enforcement: We’re fully funding an SRO in every public school, increasing pay across law enforcement agencies, and investing in criminal justice initiatives, including the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which saw a 143% case surge last year. As a side note, we have fully funded SRO's for every school in South Carolina for several years in a row. Apparently, some counties have found other reasons besides funding problems as excuses for not placing an SRO in every school. This is completely unacceptable, as our students, teachers and staff need and deserve this basic protection. I just wanted to be sure you know that it is not due to State funding issues that this problem still exists.
✅Invests in Infrastructure: $200 million for bridge repair, the second installment of our $1 billion commitment. We’re also investing in road safety, hurricane recovery, commercial airports, and water/sewer infrastructure to support our growing population.
✅Prepares for the Future: We’re replenishing the Disaster Relief and Resilience Reserve Fund, investing in healthcare innovation and mental health treatment, funding cybersecurity and artificial intelligence upgrades across state agencies, and strengthening our military communities and retirement systems.
This budget isn’t about growing government, it’s about making government work better. In fact, South Carolina’s population has boomed over the past decade, but our state workforce remains lean. We’re running our state government more efficiently and demanding more accountability, because that’s what taxpayers deserve. I believe we can do far more to improve efficiency and get a leaner budget and a much lower marginal tax rate, and have already offered my services as a 40 year veteran of financial advising to both the Speaker and the Majority Whip, Representative Brandon Newton who serves on Ways & Means to help move the process forward more quickly and effectively.
Tort Reform & Liquor Liability Insurance:
On Wednesday before Budget Reconciliation, Governor McMaster held a ceremonial signing for H.3430, Tort Reform & Liquor Liability. I serve on the Judiciary Committee that vetted this bill multiple times, as well as the Ad Hoc Committee that held an additional hearing regarding the primary differences between this bill and the Senate's version. In the end, we merged some of the best from each, and left out the worst from S.244. Bottom line, our restaurants, bars, and even VFW and other member organizations will be able to greatly reduce their insurance premiums by following very reasonable steps regarding training for servers, times for serving, and percentages of food vs. alcohol. Also, liability will be more proportionate to the level of responsibility of blame. We still have much more work to do, especially regarding our DUI laws, but this bill, now law, is a great step in helping our hospitality industry while still protecting the rights of victims & their families.
Solar Storms & Electromagnetic Pulse Update:
Two weeks ago, a solar storm was created by a very active sunspot. You may have heard about the Northern Lights, but perhaps you didn't hear that when this G4 level magnetic event struck the other side of the globe, it knocked out radio communications, parts of the grid, and even some satellites temporarily in parts of Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia. Tonight on Newsmax, you can watch the documentary I have been telling you about. I plan to share this with my colleagues in the House so they will understand why I have a bill to prepare our critical infrastructure and warn our citizens. Here is the information:
Now actor Dennis Quaid reveals the dangerous and imminent threat in the film “Grid Down, Power Up.” This shocking film premieres on the Newsmax cable channel on Sunday, June 8, at 9 p.m. ET.
When to Watch:
9 p.m. ET: Grid Down, Power Up
Sunday on Newsmax TV – Find It Here
Around the District and the Lowcountry:
The East Cooper Republican Women held a Memorial Day - In Remembrance meeting for their last meeting before summer. In honor of the theme, we welcomed two keynote speakers on the topic "Last Man Out" to recognize the devastating withdrawals from both Saigon and Kabul. Major General Jim Livingston, MOH, USMC (Ret.), and Colonel Alex Pelbath, USAF (Ret.) oversaw each of these heartbreaking missions, which were filled with tremendous courage and heroics by the soldiers, but badly impacted by terrible direction from Washington, D.C. Gen. Livingston had to go to the hospital that morning, so his assistant, Jeff Jacobs shared footage from the Saigon withdrawal scenes and told stories about what really happened. Col. Pelbath gave a harrowing and moving story of his experiences and that of the troops under his command during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. As a side note, Gen. Livingston was sent home from the hospital the same day, and we sent him well wishes in a video from the group. I was asked to provide a wrap-up of the final weeks of the SC House Session. I highlighted major legislation that passed into law. Top of the list was Fentanyl-Induced Homicide. Tort Reform and Liquor Liability Insurance was another big win. Protecting children from internet crimes was a major theme of several bills that passed. There were many others, but I only had a few minutes. Thanks again to Pres. Dorothy Kronemer who runs such an organized & always informative meeting!
Precinct 33 Gathering:
Within the Charleston County GOP, Precinct 33, which is Dunes West held a gathering as an informational update and a chance to share ideas post-Reorganization. Gary and Sandi McAuliffe, Vice President and Secretary of the precinct hosted this event at their home. We heard from each of the Precinct 33 officers including Executive Committeeman Clay Simmonds and President Wendy Damron. I was invited to provide a summary of the legislative year, and to answer questions. Whenever I speak for a group, you can be assured I hit on the hot topics that are concerning everyone, and am more than happy to address those that some might shy away from. If you have a neighborhood group or other organization that would like to hear updates and be able to ask all the tough questions, please feel free to reach out to me and I will be happy to schedule an event with you.
While this will likely be the last time we’re in session this year, the work doesn’t stop. Ad hoc groups, oversight committees, and policy planning efforts continue throughout the summer and fall. I already have two Government Efficiency & Legislative Oversight Committee meetings scheduled in July. I’ll stay engaged, keep you informed via monthly newsletter updates, and always work to represent our district with integrity, transparency and accountability.
