South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster delivered his ninth and final State of the State address on Wednesday, focusing on priorities such as tax cuts, public safety, infrastructure improvements, and economic growth. Rep. Lee Hewitt attended the event and described it as a reminder of the governor’s “steady, conservative leadership.” According to Hewitt, McMaster emphasized: “think big, be bold, and keep building a state where families can live, work, and thrive.”
Rep. Hewitt also reported that the Healthcare Budget Subcommittee he chairs has been reviewing budget requests from state healthcare agencies. The subcommittee plans to complete hearings next week before preparing its recommendations for the Ways and Means Committee.
Last week saw House leadership introduce legislation aimed at improving South Carolina’s approach to road projects. The proposal follows over nine months of work by the SC-DOT Ad Hoc Committee, which included public hearings and input from various stakeholders across the state. The goals include reducing bureaucracy, increasing transparency, cutting congestion, and expediting road construction while prioritizing safety and accountability.
On Thursday, the House passed the Student Physical Privacy Act—also known as the Bathroom Bill—which is intended to protect student privacy in schools by establishing clear standards for locker rooms and restrooms. Hewitt stated: “Every child deserves to feel safe, and no student should have to sacrifice their privacy in locker rooms or restrooms.”
Legislation was also advanced to improve transparency in judicial appointments and raise standards for magistrates—the judges most residents interact with at a local level. These reforms are designed to reinforce oversight within South Carolina’s judicial system.
Rep. Hewitt encouraged constituents to visit his official House webpage for information about sponsored bills, voting records, bill searches, and video feeds of legislative sessions.
He concluded his report by offering assistance to constituents: “I hope this report is helpful. Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.”
