SC House is debating multiple issues in March

This month of March the Statehouse is going to be extremely active as we in the House tackle our budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 as well as several other thorny issues, including the probability of dissolving the South Carolina High School League, which has been governing high school sports in the State for more than a century.

$15.4 Billion Spending Plan
Our House Ways and Means Committee recently moved forward a $15.4 billion spending plan that includes tax cuts, new money for transportation, school vouchers, and pay raises for school teachers.

The full House debate for the budget begins March 9. The large budget is based on the recent growth of our South Carolina population, which has ranked among the top five in the USA every year since 2020, including #1 in 2025.

Of concern to the Ways and Means Committee was providing funds needed for our state’s roads and bridges, which are being challenged all across the state, particularly here along the coast.

The proposed transportation portion of the budget includes $250 million for bridge improvements, $125 million for new road projects, and $25 million to incentivize counties to take ownership of state roads – and the maintenance that comes with them. This will hopefully help erase a 30-year backlog in road funding.

With regards to education, the budget will complete the five-year plan to raise the minimum teacher salaries above the Southeastern average, with funding for $2,000 raises in every salary lane, and bringing starting teacher pay to $50,500 statewide. The SC Education Association lauded the budget proposal, saying it would help recruitment and retention of quality teachers.

Also included is $371 million in nonrecurring funds to our public colleges and universities for renovation, equipment, technology, and security, and $175 million to the Medical University of SC for one-time funding for a world-class, comprehensive Cancer Center.

High School League
An effort by our Education Committee, of which I am Vice Chairman, to overhaul and replace the independent South Carolina High School League will also be debated on the House floor this month. It is something we have been dealing with for years, and our Chairwoman, Shannon Erickson of Beaufort, laid out a list of changes that needed to be made, which have been ignored. These include initiatives for safety, such as having emergency medical professionals standing by during games and matches, as well as fairly enforcing eligibility requirements for students transferring schools.

More Support for Farmers
The House last month also moved forward the Roadside Markets bill (H-5097), protecting South Carolina’s roadside market tradition and cutting unnecessary regulations on local farmers. The bill removes burdensome red tape, supports family-run operations, and will make it easier for farmers to sell fresh South Carolina-grown products directly to consumers, thereby keeping our agricultural heritage strong and local businesses thriving.

Additionally, the House passed the “Ban on Fake Meat” bill (H.5096) unanimously, protecting consumers by banning the sale of lab-grown fake meat in our State. It defends farmers from being undercut by synthetic, lab produced products.

Jeff Bradley is the representative for District 123 in the State House of Representatives.