Here’s my legislative report.
Wednesday was Miss South Carolina Day at the State House. I was glad to meet with Miss Murrells Inlet, Gracie Hicks. She will be competing in the Miss South Carolina pageant on June 28th. I wish her the best.
With just one week left in the legislative session, we’re moving quickly to advance key priorities before the House adjourns this Thursday.
Last week, I worked alongside my House Republican Caucus colleagues to take meaningful steps forward on major issues — including income tax reform, expanding education opportunity, and securing South Carolina’s energy future.
The House Ways and Means Committee advanced a historic income tax reform plan last week. Right now, South Carolina’s 6.2 percent income tax rate is the highest in the Southeast. The new proposal, H.4216, which I cosponsored, takes a bold step forward by cutting that rate to 5.39 percent, immediately giving families, small businesses, and workers more room to grow and succeed. Importantly, this plan doesn’t shift the burden to other taxes. It’s real relief achieved by cutting spending and returning over $400 million to hardworking taxpayers in year one.
But this isn’t just about short-term relief. The plan sets South Carolina on a responsible path toward a flat 1.99 percent rate, and eventually eliminates the income tax altogether. It also ends our dependence on Washington’s liberal tax mandates by decoupling our code from federal policy, restoring control to South Carolina taxpayers.
As our economy continues to grow, so must our energy infrastructure. That’s why I cosponsored the South Carolina Energy Security Act, which returned to the Senate last week after receiving House amendments. This legislation lays the foundation for a more reliable, affordable, and independent energy system.
It reforms the Public Service Commission to increase transparency and oversight of utility companies and encourages long-term investment in energy generation, including nuclear and renewables, to meet the demands of our booming economy and growing population. I anticipate the Senate will get this bill across the finish line before we adjourn this week and I expect Gov. McMaster will sign it into law.
One of my top priorities this session has been expanding educational opportunities and giving parents more control over their children’s future. Last week, I was proud to support S.62, a major school choice bill that the House sent to the Governor’s desk.
This bill enhances South Carolina’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund program, allowing up to 15,000 K-12 students from low income families to receive $7,500 scholarships next year for private school tuition, tutoring, transportation, or other approved education services. This is about giving every child a chance to succeed — no matter their ZIP code or income level.
Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt