Henry McMaster in 2023 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
Confident that Fetal Heartbeat bill is constitutional
Unfortunately, the South Carolina Supreme Court delivered a temporary setback. In a 3?2 decision, the court struck down the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act. When I signed the Heartbeat Act into law, I was confident that it was
constitutional. I still am. Therefore, I will be filing a petition for rehearing next week, along with other state officials, and I remain optimistic that we will prevail in our historic fight to protect & defend the right to, and the sanctity of, life.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Budget & Economy:
Save money instead of spending it to prepare for the future
This past November, South Carolinians overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment increasing the minimum required balance in the rainy-day reserve fund. I now ask the General Assembly to set aside an additional
$500 million to voluntarily increase the rainy-day reserve fund minimum balance from 7 percent to 10 percent. By saving this money instead of spending it, we will once again be prepared for any future economic uncertainties, should they arise.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Budget & Economy:
Complete infrastructure projects: roads, bridges, highways
There is no infrastructure more in need of big, bold, and continued investment than our state's roads, bridges, highways, and interstates. This year, my Executive Budget provides an additional $850 million to continue speeding
up the completion of projects which will relieve traffic congestion on interstates and highways, repair or repave local roads and fix over 400 bridges across the state.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Crime:
Keep career criminals behind bars & carry out executions
Law enforcement needs our help. They need stronger laws to keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and juveniles, and new laws to "close the revolving door" and keep career criminals behind bars and not out on bond. That means no bond for
repeat criminals. Those who commit a crime while out on bond will receive an automatic mandatory five-year felony sentence with no early release or parole--on top of the sentence for their previous crimes.
We have no means to carry out a death sentence in South Carolina--and the murderers know it. The Department of Corrections has been unable to carry out the death penalty by lethal injection since 2011 because the companies which make the drugs
will not sell them unless their identities are shielded by state law from anti-death penalty activists. I ask the General Assembly again: pass a shield law. We must give these grieving families and loved ones the justice and closure they are owed by law.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Education:
Parents may choose public, private, or for-profit pre-K
To increase the percentage of children who enter our public schools ready to learn, we unleashed the free market and expanded full-day, four-year-old kindergarten to all at-risk children in the state.
Parents may now choose the public, private, or for-profit childcare provider that best suits their child's educational needs.
Placing an armed, certified school resource officer--SRO - in every school, in every county, all day, every day, has been one of my top priorities. At my request, the General Assembly began funding a grant program administered by the
Department of Public Safety to provide school districts with funds to hire more resource officers for our 1,283 public schools. This year I am recommending an additional $27.3 million to provide an additional 188 schools with an SRO.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Energy & Oil:
South Carolina moving with auto industry towards electric
As you will notice, the automotive industry continues moving towards electric vehicles, and South Carolina is moving along with it. Last year I issued an executive order prioritizing the recruitment of these manufacturers to ensure that
our state will continue to be seen as the ideal place for manufacturers and suppliers to do business. South Carolina will continue to adapt as the industry innovates and grows.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Health Care:
Increase mental and behavioral health services
To meet the growing demand for mental and behavioral health services, I am recommending an allocation of nearly $45 million to the Department of Mental Health. These funds will support the agency's ability to recruit and retain mental
health professionals, provide inpatient services, increase access to crisis services such as suicide prevention hotlines--including one specifically for veterans--and community-based treatment services.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Tax Reform:
We passed the largest income tax cut in state history
Until recently, South Carolina had the highest personal income tax rate in the southeast and the 12th highest in the nation. No more. Last year, we worked together to pass the largest income tax cut in state history. This made South Carolina even more
competitive with other states for new jobs and capital investment. A tax cut has the impact of a pay raise, letting people keep and spend more of their hard-earned money, which itself is a catalyst for even more economic growth and prosperity.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Tax Reform:
$2000 income tax credit for police & other first responders
To keep South Carolinians safe, we must maintain a robust law enforcement presence - and properly "fund the police." I am proposing a $2,000 state income tax credit for every active-duty law enforcement officer, firefighter, first responder, and
emergency medical technician. This nonrefundable tax credit will provide a total of $38.4 million in income tax relief for those who put their lives on the line each day to protect and serve our people.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 25, 2023
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2023