South Carolina Passes 15.4 Billion Dollar Budget with Teacher Pay Hikes and Tax Cuts

South Carolina lawmakers wrapped up intense debates with the House passing a 15.4 billion dollar state budget, featuring 150 million dollars to boost starting teacher pay to 50,500 dollars, 125 million dollars for income tax cuts lowering the top rate to 5.21 percent, and funds for bridge modernization, beach renourishment, and Medicaid maintenance, according to South Carolina Public Radio. The plan now heads to the Senate, while the House concurred on tax reform eliminating federal deductions and setting a 1.99 percent rate for incomes up to 30,000 dollars, sending it to Governor Henry McMaster's desk. Senate committees advanced hemp regulations banning sales to those under 21 and synthetic products, alongside transportation bills expanding public-private partnerships.

Economically, the Palmetto State thrives with 2025 export sales hitting 38.5 billion dollars, a seven-year high per the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and industry recruitment reaching 9.12 billion dollars. Major expansions include Fenner Precision Polymers' 30 million dollar Cherokee County plant creating 51 jobs, SODECIA AAPICO's 120 million dollar Orangeburg operation for 392 jobs supporting Scout Motors, and Shamrock Technologies relocating its headquarters to Laurens County in a 39.6 million dollar move adding 57 jobs.

In education, Colleton County School District approved adding sixth grade to elementary schools starting 2026-27 to improve retention and transitions, as announced by Superintendent Jessica Williams via ABC News 4. Infrastructure advances feature 249 million dollars for bridges and 100 million dollars for local roads in the budget, plus Pinckney Partners breaking ground on a 34-acre mixed-use development on Johns Island with retail, offices, and townhomes.

Public safety saw routine arrests for drugs in North Charleston, and no major recent weather events disrupted the state amid passing storm threats.

Looking Ahead, Senate Finance subcommittees hold budget hearings this week on education, health, and transportation, with floor debates set for April; school flexibility bills like S.708 for four-day weeks face subcommittee reviews Wednesday.

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