Henry McMaster in 2021 Governor's State of the State speeches


On Abortion: Send me the heartbeat bill and I will immediately sign it

Ladies and gentlemen, the right to life is the most precious of rights--and the most fragile. We must never let it be taken for granted. For the fourth year in a row, my budget includes a proviso preventing the funneling of taxpayer dollars to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. And let this be the year that we further protect the sanctity of life--with the heartbeat bill. It's time to vote. Send me the heartbeat bill and I will immediately sign it into law.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature Jan 13, 2021

On Budget & Economy: Propose nearly doubling rainy day reserve fund

I am proposing that the General Assembly allocate $500 million--38 cents of every new dollar--into our state's "rainy day" reserve fund. If approved, the balance of South Carolina's "rainy day" accounts will be almost twice what they were last year, going from $616 million to $1.142 billion. By saving this money instead of spending it, something that has served our state well this year, South Carolina will be prepared for any eventuality and a whole lot of rain.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature Jan 13, 2021

On Crime: Shield companies providing drugs for lethal injection

The Department of Corrections has been unable to carry out the death penalty by lethal injection since 2015 because the companies which make the drugs will not sell them unless their identities are shielded by state law from anti-death penalty activists. We have no means to carry out a death sentence in South Carolina--and the murderers know it. I ask the General Assembly: fix this. Give these grieving families and loved ones the justice and closure they are owed by law.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature Jan 13, 2021

On Education: $13 million to establish Education Scholarship Accounts

I am setting aside $13 million in lottery proceeds for the General Assembly to establish Education Scholarship Accounts. These accounts provide the opportunity for working or low-income parents to choose the type of education environment and instruction that best suits their child's unique needs.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature Jan 13, 2021

On Education: Remove outdated "Common Core" textbooks from classrooms

Did you know that we still have a multitude of outdated "Common Core" textbooks being used in our classrooms--years after the General Assembly mandated their removal? This year--like years past--I am proposing the funding necessary for the Department of Education to once and for all replace these books.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature Jan 13, 2021

On Government Reform: Magistrate judges should be lawyers, publicly screened

South Carolina has over 300 magistrate judges who receive little public scrutiny before they are confirmed, receive limited legal training and are not required to be lawyers in good standing. Magistrate judges must be required to be attorneys in good standing and certified to practice law. Second, they should be publicly screened in hearings similar to those used for circuit and family court judges. And each member of the Senate should vote on the record on each magistrate's confirmation.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature Jan 13, 2021

On Principles & Values: COVID: We slowed down, but safely remained open

Political leaders in many states have gone too far. They have infringed on the Constitution and trampled personal freedoms. We took a road less traveled--a better road. We slowed down, but safely remained open. We never closed. Our reasonable steps of limited, measured and temporary actions allowed us to combat the virus without crippling our economy.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature Jan 13, 2021

On Tax Reform: 15% across-the-board reduction for all personal brackets

Reducing the tax burden on people and businesses continues to be one of the most important ways South Carolina can lay a foundation for future growth. South Carolina's marginal tax rate of 7% is the highest in the southeast and the 11th highest in the nation. I propose that we cut our state's personal income taxes through a phased-in five-year 15% across-the-board tax reduction for all personal income brackets, keeping us competitive with our neighboring states.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature Jan 13, 2021

The above quotations are from 2021 Governor's State of the State speeches.
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Page last updated: Feb 24, 2022