On Wednesday, I had the honor of attending Gov. Henry McMaster’s ninth and final State of the State address. It was a great night for South Carolina and a reminder of the steady, conservative leadership that drives our state forward.
Gov. McMaster spoke about putting South Carolina first, cutting taxes, strengthening public safety, fixing our roads, and continuing to grow our economy in a responsible, conservative way. His message was clear: “think big, be bold, and keep building a state where families can live, work, and thrive.”
The Healthcare Budget Subcommittee I chair was busy on Wednesday and Thursday hearing state healthcare agency budget requests. We’ll finish our hearings next week and then begin preparation on the healthcare budget to present to the Ways and Means Committee.
On Thursday, I was glad to be a part of a House news conference announcing legislation I cosponsored, H.5071, that focused on improving how South Carolina plans for and delivers road projects.
This proposal is the result of more than nine months of work by the SC-DOT Ad Hoc Committee, including public hearings held across the state and extensive conversations with citizen stakeholders, business owners, local leaders, and transportation experts.
The goals of this effort: cutting red tape, demanding transparency, reducing congestion, and moving road projects faster so families spend less time in traffic and more time at home. This bill reflects a thoughtful, deliberate approach to fixing our roads — one that prioritizes safety, accountability, and responsible growth.
On Thursday, the House overwhelmingly passed the Student Physical Privacy Act (Bathroom Bill), legislation designed to protect student privacy and maintain clear, common-sense standards in our schools. Every child deserves to feel safe, and no student should have to sacrifice their privacy in locker rooms or restrooms.
Several important reforms advanced to strengthen trust and accountability in South Carolina’s judicial system. Legislation moved forward to improve transparency and accountability in how judges are selected, reinforcing the separation of powers and ensuring proper oversight.
We also advanced reforms to improve standards for magistrates, the judges many South Carolinians interact with most often. These changes help ensure those serving on the front lines of local justice meet clear qualifications and are held to consistent standards.
Please visit my official House webpage, where you can find bills that I’ve either sponsored or cosponsored, view my voting record, search for bills, and access video feeds of the House sessions and committee meetings.
I hope this report is helpful. Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt