On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20-21, the budget conference committee I serve on met to work out the budget bill differences with the Senate. I was honored to be one of the three House members Speaker Murrell Smith appointed to the committee.
The conference committee agreed on a balanced, fiscally conservative state budget that passed the House last Wednesday on an 88-25 vote.
The budget delivers over $1 billion in tax relief, invests in the priorities that matter most, and keeps government accountable to the people who fund it.
While Washington continues to spend recklessly and stumble into shutdowns, we do things differently in South Carolina. We balance our budget every year. We don’t spend money we don’t have. And we put taxpayers first, not bureaucrats or special interests.
This year’s budget proves that commitment. It’s a responsible, conservative plan that:
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.
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.
Supports Law Enforcement: We’re fully funding a School Resource Officer in every public school, increasing pay across law enforcement agencies, and investing in criminal justice initiatives.
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.
I’m proud to support this budget and the benefits it brings to South Carolina families. From tax relief to public safety, from school funding to economic development, we’re keeping our promises and building a stronger future for our state.
Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt