With the House out this week and the Senate in perfunctory session, attention shifted to SCMC’s Gubernatorial Forum on Tuesday.
The forum brought together a strong, bipartisan group of candidates for governor to discuss their plans for South Carolina’s future. From tort reform and regulations to infrastructure and economic development, the conversations focused on the issues that matter most to you.
We also welcomed Governor Henry McMaster, Senate President Thomas Alexander, and Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey to the office this week, who took time to lend their expertise and engage directly with our members and board.
We’ll continue creating opportunities like this to connect our members with policymakers and ensure our priorities remain front and center.
In This Issue
Four on Friday
1. Legislative Update – Week 13
We are officially entering the homestretch of this year’s legislative session, with only five weeks remaining.
2. Last Call for Nominations: SCMC Small Business of the Year Award
Time is running out to nominate your favorite small business for SCMC’s Small Business of the Year Award. The award recognizes a standout South Carolina business excelling in growth, customer focus, community impact, leadership, and workforce development. The winner will be announced at Small Business Day on April 30.
3. SCMLP Applications Now Open!
Invest in your future or the future of your team with the SC Manufacturing Leadership Program. This year-long, cohort-based experience is designed to equip high-potential manufacturing professionals with the skills to lead your company and the industry forward. Learn more and apply now!
4. Nominate A Community for Opportunity Zone Designation
Governor Henry McMaster is requesting nominations for new federally designated Opportunity Zones. The program, originally authored by U.S. Senator Tim Scott in 2017 and made permanent under recent federal law, drives private investment into lower-income urban and rural communities through targeted tax incentives. Learn more about the program and submit a nomination here.
Upcoming Events
SCMC 2026 Gubernatorial Forum | April 7, 2026
Small Business Day | April 30, 2026
SC Textile Summit | May 19-20, 2026
Legislative Update – Week 13
We are officially entering the homestretch of this year’s legislative session, with only five weeks remaining.
Senate Finance Committee Advances FY2026-27 Budget
All eyes were on the Senate Finance Committee this week as they worked to advance their version of the state’s roughly $15.3 billion FY2026-27 budget.
Highlights of the Senate budget include:
- $309 million to cut the state income tax from 6% to 5.21%. Governor McMaster signed the Income Tax Reform bill (H.4216/Act 110) into law last week.
- $248 million to fund the Senate-passed Homestead Exemption increase (S.768).
- $190 million to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for bridge repairs, with $50 million in recurring funds.
- $150 million to increase teacher pay and raise the minimum starting salary to $50,500.
- $95 million in technical college scholarships for critical-needs jobs via SCWINS.
- $12.5 million to DOT for a road buyback program to transfer state roads to county control.
- $6 million for statewide water and sewer projects.
- $1.5 million to the Department of Environmental Services (DES) to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) pilot program to make environmental permitting more efficient.
- A new proviso establishing a Transportation Economic Development Fund that can be used for road improvement, construction, or right-of-way acquisition to recruit or retain high impact economic development projects or expansions.
The full Senate will begin debating the budget during the week of April 20.
Senate Continues Data Center Discussions
Bills to regulate data centers remain a major point of discussion in the Senate.
A Senate Judiciary subcommittee held an additional meeting this week to discuss the “Data Center Siting Act” (S.902), receiving further testimony from stakeholders including Google and DC BLOX. No action was ultimately taken.
Next Week
Next week will be a busy week at the Statehouse with both the House and Senate returning to town, as they race to tackle outstanding priorities as we wind down this year’s session.
The House is expected to take up the DOT Modernization bills (S.831/H.5071) on the floor next week. Other notable meetings on the calendar already include:
- Tuesday – Senate Banking and Insurance Subcommittee on H.4817, the “Insurance Rate Reduction and Policy Holder Protection Act”.
- Wednesday – Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry (LCI) Ad Hoc Subcommittee on “Chatbot” bills (S.896 and S.1037).
Member Spotlight
Boeing SC’s $1B Expansion Begins to Show Its Metal
The second 787 assembly line at Boeing South Carolina is preparing for takeoff. The company announced on social media that construction crews recently set in place the first piece of structural steel that will support the building. Read more.
