Thomasena Stokes-Marshall was born in Mount Pleasant in 1943, and attended the Long Point Road School House for kindergarten, which was the only school available to a person of color in her community at that time. Her family moved to the Bronx, and Thomasena eventually graduated from NYU with a degree in Criminal Justice in the '60s. She served with the NYPD for 24 years as a "beat cop" as well as a detective, eventually being promoted to Detective First Grade, the highest level available.

After retirement from the police force, she moved back to Mount Pleasant, her hometown, and what was a community of 2000 when she was born had ballooned to a town of 35,000 in 1993! Thomasena quickly recognized many problems that needed solving, so she got to work. After years of non-profit volunteer efforts, she ran for Mount Pleasant Town Council and was elected in 1997. She served for 17 years including a term as Mayor Pro-Tempore. While on Council, she accomplished many things, including the extremely popular Senior Center in Mount Pleasant that bears her name. She also started a task force to bring high-quality workforce and affordable housing to our community.

During my term on Town Council, we voted to do a spin-off of this idea and help fund the beginning of Mount Pleasant Housing for All. One of my first phone calls after being elected in 2017 was to Thomasena to invite her to lunch. In listening to her ideas, her passion, and her actions described that day, I knew she would be one of my best teachers to understand what a lot of our problems were that still needed addressing. Thomasena's life was filled with accomplishments, and at the service in her honor this past Friday, it was clear that Thomasena touched everyone that knew her and will be missed by many, many people. Her life was an excellent example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s statement, "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve."

This past week marked the first week of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. We begin another year in South Carolina with large Republican majorities in both the State House of Representatives and the State Senate. On Tuesday, Speaker Murrell Smith gaveled the session in as over 700 bills made their way across his desk. These bills were assigned to their respective committees where my colleagues and I will begin refining them in committee until they are ready to be placed on the House floor for debate.

 

On Wednesday, I joined the entire General Assembly as we led the procession down the State House steps to witness Governor Henry McMaster, Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, and our Constitutional Officers being sworn in for the next four years. Gov. McMaster’s Inaugural address commended the General Assembly for passing the largest income tax cut in state history last year, appropriating over a billion and half dollars for new water, sewer, stormwater and infrastructure needs around the state, and ensuring we saved our budget surplus so that we now have the largest rainy day reserve fund balance in state history. Gov. McMaster outlined a bold vision that focuses on education, properly funding law enforcement, and making sure the process of electing judges is transparent and accountable. I look forward to working hand-in-hand with the Governor and our Constitutional Officers in making South Carolina a better and safer place to live and to raise a family.

This past month the House Republican Caucus outlined our agenda for the 2023-2024 Legislative session. I believe that the success of South Carolina is dependent on these five pillars:

· Improve Statewide Economic Development to Ensure Prosperity

· Reform our Education System so Students are Better Prepared for the Workforce

· Limit Government by Implementing Fiscal Discipline and Responsibility

· Increase Personal Freedom and Encourage Conservative Values

· Prioritize Public Safety and make Law and Order a Top Priority

 

I am committed to introducing and supporting legislation in the upcoming session that will elevate our State by focusing on each of these pillars. It is my honor to serve you in the South Carolina State House of Representatives and I look forward to serving on the Education & Public Works, and the Rules Committees. As always, please reach out if you have any questions and concerns.