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