Your SC politics briefing
Welcome to your weekly South Carolina politics briefing, a newsletter curated by The State’s politics and government team.
This week, Gov. Henry McMaster was sworn in for his second full term, putting him on track to be the longest serving governor in the state’s history. It’s a distinction he’s set to achieve in early 2025.
McMaster’s more than 2,000-word speech was filled with a handful of bipartisan talking points: putting more money toward education, growing the economy and protecting the environment from the threat of climate and over development.
But it was a quick line, and a few words in particular, that drew the loudest applause and raised eyebrows as McMaster prepares to deliver his State of the State address later this month, a governor’s blueprint for the SC Legislature.
“We must also ensure that the public has confidence in whom and how all our judges are selected — by making the processes more transparent and accountable; so that every South Carolinian, born and unborn, may enjoy life, liberty and happiness,” McMaster said.
Republicans have been less than thrilled shall we say about the SC Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the six-week abortion ban, deciding in a 3-2 ruling that it violated a woman’s constitutional right to privacy.
After the inauguration ceremony and an open house, McMaster partied with about 2,000 people at the black-tie optional inaugural ball at the Columbia Convention Center.
“We live in the best place in the whole world. It’s getting better and better,” McMaster told the crowd. “So let’s have a good time tonight and then we’ll get back to work because we’re going to the top.”
Read more: SC judges and economic growth: 5 takeaways from Gov. McMaster’s second inauguration speech
Read more: McMaster unveiled his budget proposal, which includes a $2,500 raise for teachers and a $2,500 retention bonus
Governor hopeful dumps SC Democratic Party
The legislative session had barely started Tuesday when news dropped that state Sen. Mia McLeod, the first Black woman to run for governor, was ending her relationship with the SC Democratic Party.
McLeod, who represents parts of Richland County, lost in June against Democrat Joe Cunningham, who lost to Gov. Henry McMaster in November.
McLeod, in an email to supporters, said her choice to leave centers on concerns that the party does not do enough to support Black women candidates, particularly after a handful lost their House seats last year.
Her leave has sparked both support and criticism.
Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto told reporters this week McLeod can still caucus with Senate Democrats.
McLeod declined to answer reporters’ questions at the State House, only saying her email “spells it all out.”
“Since it’s January 12 and some are still goal-setting for the new year, here’s a great one for my beloved haters: Get your mind off me in 2023!” McLeod tweeted.
Read more: Cunningham lost SC race for governor by double digits. What could his future hold?
SC Republicans seek to change constitution
Republican state lawmakers are aiming to make it easier to send public dollars to private and religious schools.
House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, has introduced a bill that would strip from the state Constitution the section that prohibits tax dollars from being used for the direct benefit of religious or other private educational institutions.
Repeal of that constitutional provision — which has existed in some form since the 1860s — would eliminate any lingering doubts about the constitutionality of Republican-backed education scholarship accounts, a top GOP priority this legislative session.
“I am concerned that we’re going to lose things that are woven into the fabric of our education process in South Carolina over an amendment created back in the (1860s),” Smith told The State.
Critics say it risks harming the state’s public education system by accelerating the diversion of tax dollars to private and religious schools.
Any constitutional change requires two-thirds support of each chamber and the approval of a majority of voters in the next general election. If voters pass the amendment, it returns to lawmakers for ratification, which requires a simple majority vote.
Read more: Abortion, taxes, school choice: What to watch in 2023 as SC lawmakers are back in the State House
Buzz Bites
▪ Former President Donald Trump is set to visit South Carolina later this month to roll out a state leadership operation for his campaign. The trip will be his first back to the state since he launched his 2024 presidential bid.
▪ US Rep. Nancy Mace joined a handful of New York Republicans calling on freshman Rep. George Santos to resign.
▪ Wendy Damron will now run the conservative think tank Palmetto Promise Institute, replacing Ellen Weaver, who was sworn in this week to become South Carolina’s new superintendent of education.
▪ The South Carolina Supreme Court appears likely to face GOP scrutiny after a 3-2 ruling struck down the 6-week abortion ban.
▪ Gov. Henry McMaster is once again going to try and convince lawmakers to spend $300 million to start Interstate 73 work.
▪ A legislative panel has moved forward on a handful of University of South Carolina board trustees who were under fire last year over massive coach buyouts and the dramatic presidential search that resulted in Robert Caslen’s brief tenure. The Legislature will vote on the board members in February.
Mark your calendar
Jan. 16
SC NAACP’s King Day at the Dome, state holiday
Jan. 17
Senate transportation subcommittee, 10 a.m.
House Ways and Means constitutions subcommittee, immediately after House adjourns
Economic and utility modernization ad hoc committee, after House adjourns
House Ways and Means transportation and regulatory budget subcommittee, 1.5 hours after House adjourns
House Ways and Means public education and special schools subcommittee,1.5 hours after House adjourns
House Ways and Means higher education subcommittee, 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 18
House Ways and Means transportation and regulatory budget subcommittee, 10 a.m.
House Ways and Means public education and special schools subcommittee, 10 a.m.
House Ways and Means health care subcommittee, 10 a.m.
Jan. 19
Senate Legislative Oversight Committee, 9 a.m.
Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children, 9 a.m.
Jan. 25
Gov. McMaster delivers his State of the State address
Feb. 1
Legislature votes on SC Supreme Court justice, university board elections
Feb. 2/3
Democratic National Committee meets to decide presidential primary calendar
March 13
SC House begins budget debate
March 20-24
SC House goes on furlough
April 10-14
SC House goes on furlough
Before we adjourn
South Carolina still has federal COVID relief to spend.
House budget writers want to spend the remaining $586 million in American Rescue Plan Act money on rural infrastructure work, advancing a bill Thursday to do so.
Last year, South Carolina spent $800 million of federal COVID relief for rural water and sewer. The Rural Infrastructure Authority received 309 applications for $2 billion worth of projects.
“We are looking at project feasibility as well as geographic diversity, but of course one of the primary things that we hope to achieve with these funds is transformational impact for South Carolina,” said Bonnie Ammons, head of the Rural Infrastructure Authority.
The same bill also spends $500 million from the state’s contingency reserve fund to pay for financial commitments made by the SC Department of Commerce as part of large economic development deals.
“That would of course support our continuing economic development efforts and the ability to negotiate with additional projects that currently have the state under consideration,” Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey.
Pulling the newsletter together this week was Joseph Bustos, reporter on The State’s politics and state government team. You can keep up with him on Twitter and send him tips on Twitter at @JoeBReporter or by email jbustos@thestate.com.
To stay on top of South Carolina politics and election news, you can chat with us on Facebook, email us tips and follow our stories at scpolitics.com.
