State economy, tax cuts lead session recap
Although the legislative session has adjourned until January, our work for the people of South Carolina hasn’t stopped. From meeting with constituents, hosting and attending community events to preparing for the year ahead, we are busy advancing key issues including though ad hoc committees and making sure the laws we passed earlier this year are implemented and understood. We are delivering results and there is more to come.
South Carolina’s economy is booming. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, South Carolina’s GDP has grown from $207 to $350 billion over the past decade. This success didn’t happen by chance or purely geographic location, it is the result of wise choices and shared vision, a collaboration between forward-thinking elected officials, business leaders and communities committed to long-term, sustainable, prosperity. That vision is working, according to the Department of South Carolina Employment and Workforce, South Carolina recorded the second-fastest employment growth in the country from March 2024 to March 2025.
The Heartbeat Bill is saving lives. According to the SC Department of Public Health abortions declined 63% in SC from 2023 to 2024 – the first full year the law was in effect. Holly Gatling, Executive Director of SC Citizens for Life recently praised SC House and Senate leadership stating: “This encouraging report again demonstrates that legislation saves lives and elections have consequences.”
This summer, the US Supreme Court also handed down a major pro-life and pro-states’ rights victory in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, affirming South Carolina’s authority to remove Medicaid funding from abortion providers. These victories reflect the GOP Caucus’s continued commitment to protecting life and upholding South Carolina’s values.
Over the course of the last several months I have reported on the actions taken under the Caucus’s 6 Pillars for Progress that are key to South Carolina’s success.
The first year of the 2025-2026 legislative session produced significant conservative wins that are now becoming law. We passed a responsible, balanced state budget that includes $1 billion in tax relief ($200 million in income tax cuts and $800 in property tax relief), raises teacher starting pay to $47,000, and invests in roads, bridges, broadband, storm recovery, and rural development.
We passed H 4216 putting South Carolina on a path toward eliminating the income tax and passed additional relief through H 3858 cutting property taxes for boat owners. To support small businesses, we passed H 3021 (Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act) and H 3430, addressing tort reform and raising liquor liability insurance costs. We also passed H 3309, the South Carolina Energy Security Act, to secure our power grid and prepare for future growth.
Regarding education, we expanded access to Education Scholarship Trust Funds (S62) invested in dual enrollment (H 3127) and workforce training (H3863), and ensured classrooms stay focused on student achievement by passing H 3927, removing DEI mandates from public schools.
We passed reforms to strengthen public health and protect property rights through S 2, H 3387, and H 3930.
Finally, as I previously reported on my Judiciary Committee’s work to improve public safety, we strengthened penalties on fentanyl (S 156) cracked down on high-speed chases (H 3127) enacted a handsfree/distracted driving law (H 3276) and criminalized the unauthorized sharing of private images, including AI-generated deep fakes (H 3058).
But there is more to do. While significant progress on fixing our roads and bridges has been made over the last 7+/- years -including the ground breaking this month of the widening and resurfacing of I-95 the first section of I-95 from the GA/SC state line north, with 5.5 million residents and 71,000 miles of state-owned roads, South Carolina’s infrastructure is struggling to keep up. The condition of our roads is of paramount concern to all of us not just in the fast-growing areas of the state.
I am pleased with the Speaker’s establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee not to fix potholes or widen roads but to build a foundation for long term growth, safety, and opportunity. The Committee, which will hold hearings across the state, is charged with exploring improvements to congestion, permitting, SCDOT’s structure, outdated tolling and fees systems- all without raising the gas tax. Our Delegation is working to make sure the Lowcountry is included in these discussions.
It is an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of District 120 in the SC House. If I may be of service, please do not hesitate to call on me.
Weston Newton is the representative for District 120 in the State House of Representatives. WestonNewton@schouse.gov
