South Carolina Advances Transgender Bathroom Bill, Boosts Economic Growth in Landmark Legislative Session

South Carolina lawmakers advanced House Bill 4756 on January 28, forcing transgender students to use school facilities matching their birth sex, passing 96-19 before heading to the Senate, according to the ACLU of South Carolina[1]. Governor Henry McMaster, in his final State of the State address, called for raising base teacher pay above $50,000, expanding four-year-old kindergarten, and injecting $1.1 billion in surplus funds into nearly $7 billion worth of active transportation projects threatened by rising costs[4][12]. Greenville County secured $725 million in 2025 investments from companies like GE Vernova, Isuzu North America, and DartPoints, creating 1,293 jobs and representing 8% of the state's total capital influx[3]. The state economy remains robust, leading the nation in early 2025 real GDP growth, fueled by manufacturing expansions such as Isuzu's $280 million Greenville plant[7].

In the 126th General Assembly's second session, bills on law enforcement reforms, firearm background checks, and voucher tweaks for religious schools dominate calendars, with a Senate Education Subcommittee hearing Senate Bill 692 on February 4[1][2][6]. Public safety efforts highlight school resource officers credited with preventing tragedy at a recent incident[12].

A powerful bomb cyclone brought heavy snow to the Southeast this weekend, dumping up to 6 inches in Myrtle Beach, which lacks snow equipment, and prompting closures like the South Carolina Ballet's performance, rescheduled to February 7[5][8][11]. Frigid temperatures and power outages linger in parts of the Carolinas.

Looking Ahead: Watch Senate debates on H.4756, voucher amendments, and Gov. McMaster's budget priorities amid ongoing winter weather impacts and economic announcements.

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