By Lee Hewitt
POST & COURIER
April 14, 2025

As the state representative whose district encompasses Georgetown, I have always believed that our communities deserve a future defined not just by what has come before, but by what we can create together. The recent discussions about the future of the closed International Paper mill and the nearby Liberty Steel site open the door to a bold new vision for Georgetown’s waterfront — one that balances economic growth, environmental responsibility and community well-being.

The proposed biomass power plant at the International Paper site undoubtedly sparks a conversation about our economic landscape. While many may see potential in a biomass facility to replace some lost jobs and generate economic activity, I urge us to pause and consider the broader implications for Georgetown. The allure of another heavy industrial plant must not cloud our judgment about the kind of community we have the opportunity to create in the wake of the paper plant’s closure.

Georgetown is blessed with a beautiful waterfront that holds tremendous potential for more than just industrial development. We are positioned to become a hub for ecotourism and smart growth, where families can enjoy a vibrant cultural scene, recreational opportunities and local businesses flourish. This vision invites us to redefine our relationship with the waterfront — not as a site only for heavy industry, but as a destination marked by opportunities for sportsmen, shoppers, diners and those who need access to affordable housing to remain in our community.

There is an opportunity here — one that includes stakeholders who are not only focused on short-term gains but want to create sustainable economic development, keep blue-collar jobs in Georgetown, and be responsible stewards of our environment. As we consider the future of the International Paper site, we must engage with local leaders, the families impacted by the mill’s closure, and residents across Georgetown to explore other visions for development, including innovative economic solutions that prioritize the preservation of our coastal environment.

Furthermore, our focus should also extend to the Liberty Steel property. The potential for waterfront redevelopment here is immense, and we should envision a blend of residential, commercial and recreational spaces that celebrate our unique history and natural resources. Our waterfront should become not just a place of work, but a gathering space that strengthens our community bonds and attracts visitors, thus enhancing our local economy.

We have a choice to make — one that will shape the future of Georgetown for generations to come. This is not just about land use; it about the type of community we want for our children and their children. I invite you to participate in this important discussion as we work together to create a Georgetown that honors its past and creates a sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future.

Let’s come together to advocate for a waterfront that reflects our values — one where new ideas and community guide our path forward. The choices we make now will not only define the horizon of our local economy but will also create the landscape of our community’s heart and soul.

Lee Hewitt represents S.C. House District 108, encompassing Georgetown and Charleston counties.

Click here for the op-ed.

I hope you’re doing well.

Rep. Carl Anderson, D-Georgetown, and I were glad to meet with members of the Georgetown County School Board at the State House last week. Education is so important to the future of our county and state.

Left to right: Eileen Johnson, Randy Walker, Fallon Bordner, Rep. Carl Anderson, Kathy Anderson and myself.

With just four weeks left in this year’s legislative session, I continued working to advance the conservative, common-sense policies our communities expect.

When someone dies and owns a home taxed at the four percent assessment rate, it’s not fair for counties to change the rate to six percent even before an estate is closed. That’s why I sponsored H.3841, which passed the House 107-0 last week. The bill requires the special assessment rate and any tax exemptions to continue until the decedent's estate is closed, the recording of a deed or deed of distribution out of the estate, or after December 31st of the year following the date of death, whichever occurs first.

We also passed major public safety reforms to protect families, support victims, and crack down on violent crime.

Fentanyl continues to tear apart families in our state. That’s why I proudly voted for a bill, S.156, that makes it a felony — punishable by up to 30 years — for anyone who unlawfully provides fentanyl that results in someone’s death.

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, H.3523, that increases penalties for these crimes and targets the criminals organizing them.

Victims of domestic violence shouldn’t be trapped in a lease with their abuser. That’s why I supported legislation, H.3569, 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.

Running from law enforcement isn’t just reckless — it’s dangerous. I voted for a bill, H.3127, that makes fleeing from police a felony when the driver engages in dangerous behavior during the chase.

Distracted driving is a deadly problem, and I was proud to vote 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 week the House is on furlough for Easter.

I hope this report is helpful. Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

I hope you had a great weekend.

I was privileged to meet with the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors’ Leadership Class at the State House. I appreciate their efforts to learn about the legislative process and state government.

Last week, I continued delivering on our House Republican Caucus’ Pillars for Progress -- supporting legislation that defends merit-based opportunity, expands career-ready education, and protects children and families from emerging threats.

As part of our commitment to remove harmful DEI programs from our educational institutions and state government, I cosponsored and voted to pass the Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity Act.

This landmark legislation makes South Carolina the first state in the country to turn President Trump’s executive order on DEI into law—eliminating race- and gender-based preferences and restoring a fair, merit-driven system.

This bill is a critical step toward restoring fairness, ending illegal discrimination, and ensuring your tax dollars aren’t spent promoting divisive ideology.

Fulfilling our goal to expand educational opportunities and enhance outcomes, I strongly support two forward-thinking bills that cleared the House Education and Public Works Committee this week and will soon be headed to the House floor.

The South Carolina Computer Science Education Initiative Act, will ensure that by the 2026–2027 school year, every public high school offers at least one rigorous, career-relevant computer science course. The bill also lays the groundwork for career pathways in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, information systems, and software development—starting as early as elementary school.

The South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act, creates a statewide STEM coalition to align education and workforce development, particularly in underserved areas. It promotes hands-on learning, strengthens teacher training, and builds pipelines for South Carolina students to enter high-paying careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

As part of our commitment to prioritize public safety and protect children from “deepfake” digital exploitation, on Wednesday the House passed H.3045. This legislation creates felony-level penalties for the production or possession of digitally manipulated child sexual abuse material—even if the child depicted does not actually exist. It also adds the offense to the sex offender registry and establishes a clear legal framework for prosecuting these heinous acts.

Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

Last Wednesday was Firefighter's Day in the House of Representatives. I was privileged to meet with Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire District Capt. Brad Bemis and EMS Operations Director David Elliott. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our first responders.

Left to right: Rep. Val Guest, R-Horry, Capt. Brad Bemis, myself, Rep. Heather Ammons Crawford, R-Horry, and David Elliott.

Appropriately, on Firefighter’s Day, H.3163, a bill that expands workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters was advanced by the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee. It ensures that if a firefighter suffers a stroke while actively fighting a fire, responding to a rescue, or participating in strenuous training, that condition is presumed to be job-related. It’s a simple way to honor and support those who serve our communities so bravely.

Last week, I joined my House Republican Caucus colleagues in announcing a historic tax reform plan that will cut taxes, simplify the system, and make South Carolina the most competitive state in the nation when it comes to personal income tax.

H.4216, is a newly introduced tax reform bill that I cosponsored, which would deliver the most significant income tax cut in South Carolina history. Right now, South Carolina has the highest personal income tax rate in the Southeast—but this bill will change that. Here’s how:

*Lowers the top income tax rate from 6.2% to a simple, flat 3.99%
*Makes South Carolina more competitive than North Carolina (4.25%) and Georgia (5.39%)
*Includes a path to further reduce the rate to 2.49% as economic benchmarks are met—giving South Carolina the lowest rate in the nation
*Keeps key exemptions in place (no taxes on groceries or medicine)
*Does not raise sales or property taxes to make up the difference
*Moves us off the federal tax base so Washington no longer controls our tax code

This plan is about returning more of your hard-earned money to your family, strengthening our economy, and putting South Carolina—not Washington—in charge of our future.

The fentanyl crisis is ravaging communities across our state. Last week, the House Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to S.156, the Drug-Induced Homicide Bill. This legislation would make it a felony—punishable by up to 30 years in prison—for anyone who unlawfully provides fentanyl that results in an overdose death. It also ensures that a victim’s personal drug use does not shield a dealer from prosecution. I will proudly vote for this bill when it reaches the House floor in the coming weeks.

I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I hope you had a great weekend.

It was a pleasure to meet with members of the state branch of Coaches vs. Overdoses at the State House.

The Coaches vs. Overdoses program is a national campaign to provide coaches, parents, student-athletes, and communities with resources to tackle fentanyl and defeat overdoses. Founded in 2022 with the help of NFL Hall of Famer Randy White, who lost his son-in-law to an overdose, the program is designed to reduce overdoses through prevention awareness education and empowerment. I greatly appreciate their efforts.

Last week was budget week in the House. After casting 236 votes on various amendments, I proudly stood with House Republican Caucus members to pass a balanced, fiscally conservative budget -- one that cuts taxes, eliminates waste, and invests in the priorities that matter most to South Carolina families.

While Washington, D.C. continues to spend recklessly, we do things differently in South Carolina.

We don’t spend money we don’t have, and we prioritize the taxpayers who fund this government -- not bureaucrats and special interests.

The 2025-2026 budget is proof of that commitment. It’s a responsible plan that:

Cuts taxes: $1 billion in direct tax relief, including $800 million in property tax relief and $200 million in income tax cuts.

Invests in education: raises teacher pay, keeps college tuition low, and expands school safety.

Improves infrastructure: $200 million for roads and bridges, $20 million for water and sewer improvements.

Strengthens public safety: supports law enforcement and ensures our communities are safe.

Prepares for the future: invests in workforce development and keeping spending in check.

Our state is booming because of conservative leadership and responsible budgeting -- and we’re committed to keeping it that way. I’m proud to stand behind this budget and the real, tangible benefits it delivers.

In an effort to save taxpayers’ money, the House is on furlough this week. We’ll go back into session on March 25th.

Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

It was my pleasure to meet with the Leadership Georgetown County class at the State House on Wednesday. Sponsored by the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, this program develops skilled local leaders through training and hands-on experience. I appreciate their willingness to step forward as leaders to help our community.

Also, Wednesday was Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day at the State House. I was glad to meet with Taylor Wilson, state director of the Alzheimer's Association, and Patty Younts, an Alzheimer’s advocate, who lost her husband to the disease, to talk about Alzheimer’s related issues. More than 112,000 South Carolinians have this terrible disease, with nearly 219,000 family members and friends providing care for them.

Last week, the House took major steps on reducing burdensome regulations, providing relief to small businesses, and cracking down on crime.

Government overreach hurts small businesses, limits job creation, and slows down our economy. That’s why the Regulatory Freedom Act, a bill I cosponsored, overwhelmingly passed the House 108-0 on Thursday. This is a bill that puts citizens and businesses, not unelected bureaucrats, back in charge and does the following:

*Ends outdated and unnecessary regulations unless reapproved.
*Stops unelected agencies from creating new rules without legislative oversight.
*Ensures that for every new regulation, two outdated ones are repealed.
*Strengthens transparency and accountability to protect small businesses.

Skyrocketing insurance costs are crippling South Carolina’s bars, restaurants, and VFW posts. That’s why the House passed the Liquor Liability Bill 109-0 to deliver relief while maintaining accountability in alcohol service.

The bill ends the unfair “joint and several” liability exception for bars and restaurants, which has led to out-of-control lawsuits that punish responsible businesses, expands insurance options to increase competition and lower costs, and requires alcohol server training to ensure responsible service.

Smash-and-grab thefts and large-scale shoplifting rings are a serious public safety and economic issue. H.3523, a bill the House passed last month, was just passed by the Senate and sent to the Gov. McMaster for his signature. The bill makes organized retail theft a felony and gives law enforcement new tools to fight back against organized criminals.

Next week, the House will begin debating the state budget bill. I’m committed to fighting for a budget that reflects our conservative values -- one that invests in the priorities that matter like law enforcement, safer schools, better roads, and tax relief for hardworking families, while cutting wasteful spending.

I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

I hope you’re doing well.

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of meeting with Grand Strand area leaders in Columbia at the Grand Strand Legislative Reception, which included representatives from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors, Coastal Carolina University, and Horry Georgetown Technical College.

From left to right: Madison Cooper, CCAR; Jennifer Wilbanks, HGTC; Rep. Heather Crawford, Boone Peeler; Robert Hucks, HGTC Commissioner; Rep. Val Guest; myself; Bob Farrar, HGTC Commissioner; Murph Fore, president HGTC; and Rep. Kevin Hardee.

Last week, I proudly voted for S.62, a bill to expand school choice, which is a major step forward in giving parents more control over their children’s education while ensuring accountability and long-term sustainability.

We’ve fought for years to ensure that every child in South Carolina -- regardless of their zip code or financial background -- has access to a quality education tailored to their needs.

The House strengthened the Senate bill to ensure a legally sound, structured, and fair program that doesn’t take funding away from our public school districts. We restored the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, reinforcing the long-term stability of the program, and appointed a trustee to oversee its management and protect against legal challenges.

We also prioritized students in greatest need -- children of military families, foster children, low-income students, and those with disabilities -- ensuring they have first access to scholarships before the general application window opens.

On the Ways and Means Committee we continued work on the state budget to ensure it reflects our conservative values -- cutting taxes, reducing wasteful spending, and making smart investments in South Carolina’s future.

This budget provides over $1 billion in tax relief, including $800 million in property tax cuts and over $200 million in income tax reductions. We are committed to keeping money in your pockets and ensuring that our state remains competitive for businesses and job creators.

The budget raises teacher salaries to $50,000 by 2026, ensures continued support for school safety, workforce training, infrastructure improvements, and much-needed law enforcement pay raises. We also prioritized protecting taxpayer dollars by requiring state agencies to cut unnecessary vacancies and implement new fraud prevention measures.

I hope this report is helpful. Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

I hope you had a great weekend. Here’s my legislative report.

On Wednesday I was glad to meet with a group from the Tyron Wilson Let Us Mentor Teens Project at the State House. The project serves Georgetown and Williamsburg counties with a mission “to create a brighter future for at-risk teens by providing them with access to innovative technology, educational experiences, and cultural enrichment opportunities.” A great group.

Last week, my colleagues and I took meaningful steps to support our veterans, protect children online, ensure a responsible state budget, and expand school choice.

H.3510, a bill to strengthen veteran’s services, passed the House 109-0 on Wednesday. With almost 400,000 veterans calling South Carolina home, it’s important to ensure they receive the support and services they deserve. This bill will fund two full-time County Veterans’ Affairs Officers in each county.

On Thursday the Social Media Regulation Act, which establishes critical safeguards to keep kids safe online and ensure parents have control over their children’s digital presence, passed the House 89-14. This bill requires social media platforms to verify users’ ages, obtain parental consent for minors under 18 before they can create an account, limits harmful content exposure, and restricts data collection on minors.

The state budget process is in full swing. I’m committed to ensuring a budget that prioritizes fiscal responsibility, tax relief, and strategic investments in our state’s future that focuses on the following:

*Cutting taxes to keep South Carolina competitive and put money back into your pocket.

*Investing in our workforce through teacher pay raises and job-training programs.

*Improving infrastructure by funding road and bridge repairs.

*Enhancing public safety with increased resources for law enforcement and disaster preparedness.

The House Education and Public Works Committee advanced S.62, an important step toward ensuring more families have access to school choice through Education Scholarship Trust Funds. This legislation will allow more students—especially children from military families, foster care, and lower-income households—to apply for scholarships that give them access to the best educational opportunities. This bill will likely move to the House floor for debate next week.

I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

Happy President’s Day! I hope you’re doing well.

On Wednesday, I had the privilege of meeting with University of South Carolina president Michael Amiridis to discuss the school’s first hospital specializing in neurological care.

Also, on Wednesday, Dr. Gerald Harmon (center), interim president of the USC School of Medicine, was recognized as “Doctor of the Day” by the House of Representatives. With Dr. Harmon is Travis Jebackumar, a first year USC medical student, who serves as the 2028 class president.

For Dr. Harmon, who is a long-time Pawleys Island resident, this marks the 38th year he has served as Doctor of the Day.

Last week, my colleagues and I in the House Republican Caucus took major steps to crack down on organized crime, secure our energy future, and protect kids online.

On Thursday, H.3523, a bill aimed at cracking down on organized retail crime passed the House 101-0. Across the country, we’ve seen smash-and-grab thefts grow more brazen, with criminal rings coordinating large-scale retail thefts that drive up prices and threaten jobs.

The days of slaps on the wrist for repeat offenders are over—this legislation ensures that those who steal thousands in merchandise face felony charges, increased penalties, and real consequences.

I voted to pass the South Carolina Energy Security Act, ensuring that as our population grows, we have the reliable and affordable power needed to fuel our economy. This legislation expands access to nuclear, natural gas, hydrogen, and renewables, cuts red tape to speed up approval of energy projects, and protects consumers from rising costs. Energy security is economic security, and I’m committed to making sure South Carolina remains strong and independent.

The Social Media Regulation Act moved forward this week, passing out of the Judiciary Committee with a favorable vote. It’s no secret that social media has negatively impacted the mental health of children and teens. This legislation ensures that social media companies verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors, limits the collection of personal data from children, and restricts features designed to increase screen addiction. It also prohibits adults from directly messaging minors they aren’t connected to, helping to prevent online exploitation and predatory behavior.

Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

Last week, bills I cosponsored were introduced to ensure your tax dollars are spent responsibly, strengthen our economy, and uphold the values that make our state great.

H.3926, the DOGE Bill, creates the Commission on Fiscal Restraint and Government Efficiency to identify wasteful spending, repeal burdensome regulations, and eliminate unnecessary government programs. This commission will review every dollar the state government spends and make recommendations to cut unnecessary programs.

For too long, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies have been used to push identity-based quotas, force ideological training, and undermine merit-based success. I’m fighting to stop this failed social experiment with H.3927, which will completely dismantle DEI programs in our government, universities, and public schools.

We must ensure our energy infrastructure keeps up with growth. That’s why I cosponsored the South Carolina Energy Security Act, to keep our power supply affordable, reliable, and independent. This bill reforms the Public Service Commission, encourages investment in nuclear and renewable energy, and expands energy transmission and storage capacity.

On a local level, derelict and abandoned boats continue to plague our waters, raising safety and environmental concerns. I’ve filed H.3771, which requires an owner of a boat that’s anchored in the waters of this state more than 14 days to maintain marine recovery insurance on the boat. To obtain insurance, the owner must provide the insurer a recent vessel survey that includes a declaration that the boat is seaworthy and can move under its own power.

When someone dies and owns a home taxed at the four percent assessment rate, it’s not fair for counties to change the rate to six percent even before an estate is closed. That’s why I sponsored H.3841, which requires the special assessment rate and any tax exemptions to continue until the decedent's estate is closed, the recording of a deed or deed of distribution out of the estate, or after December 31st of the year following the date of death, whichever occurs first.

On Friday, I was honored to be reelected as chair of the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study Policy Committee. GSATS serves as the agency that plans and programs transportation improvements in the coastal areas of Georgetown, Horry and Brunswick (NC) counties.

The policy committee welcomed Georgetown County Council Chair Clint Elliott to his first meeting. The committee approved a Hwy 17 corridor study of the area around the intersection with Hwy 707 in Murrells Inlet. It also got updates on these Murrells Inlet projects: Riverwood traffic circle, Wachesaw Road repaving, and the Old Kings Hwy segment of the Inlet to Intercoastal Waterway multipurpose path – all scheduled for completion by May 1st.

I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.