Dear Constituents,

Last week, the South Carolina General Assembly passed the 2026–27 state budget conference report and sent it to the Governor!

Getting to this point was not easy. The House and Senate had real disagreements over portions of the budget. But rather than allow those disagreements to hold up tax relief, teacher pay raises, road funding, public safety investments, and other important priorities, we worked through those differences and reached a final agreement.

I believe the result is a responsible budget that addresses our state’s needs while providing meaningful relief for South Carolinians.

Here are some of the biggest ways this budget will impact you, your family, and your community.

More of Your Money Stays in Your Pocket

Most importantly, this budget provides $422 million in new tax relief for South Carolinians.

That includes:

• $325 million in income tax relief, reducing the top state income tax rate from 6% to 5.21%, as part of a responsible, phased approach that continues moving South Carolina toward ultimately eliminating the state income tax over time.
• $81 million for the Homestead Exemption, increasing the amount of a home’s value that eligible seniors can exempt from property taxes to $75,000, helping lower their property tax bills.
• $16 million in additional tax credits and exemptions

Lowering the income tax rate means South Carolinians can keep more of what they earn. For eligible homeowners, the increased Homestead Exemption shields an additional $25,000 of a home’s value from property taxes. At a time when families are paying more for everyday necessities, I believe keeping more money in taxpayers’ pockets should remain a priority.

Investing in Teachers and Students

The budget raises South Carolina’s minimum starting teacher salary to $50,500 and adds another $2,000 to the teacher minimum salary schedule, helping our state recruit strong educators and keep experienced teachers in the classroom.

It also provides:

• $75 million for rural and charter school capital needs
• $38.3 million for K–12 instructional materials
• $30 million for school buses
• $20 million for school safety grants
• $23.2 million for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund program

Together, these investments mean safer schools, better classroom resources, more reliable transportation, and greater educational opportunities for South Carolina families.

Making College and Career Training More Affordable

The budget freezes in-state tuition and fully funds South Carolina’s major lottery scholarship programs, helping families manage the cost of higher education.

It also provides:

• $250 million for capital projects at public universities and technical colleges
• $95 million for SC WINS tuition assistance
• $15 million for readySC job training

These investments help South Carolinians earn degrees, credentials, and skills for in-demand careers while helping our businesses build the workforce they need to compete and create jobs here at home.

Improving the Roads You Drive Every Day

The budget provides $344 million for roads and bridges through SCDOT and County Transportation Committees.

This funding will help repair pavement, improve bridges, address congestion, and move needed projects forward across the state.

As South Carolina continues to grow, these investments help make the daily drive to work, school, and home safer and more reliable while strengthening the infrastructure our economy depends on.

Supporting Law Enforcement and First Responders

The budget fully funds state law enforcement step increases, helping agencies recruit and retain experienced officers.

It also provides $24.5 million to expand the Palmetto 800 statewide first responder communications system, strengthening the network that law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency personnel rely on to communicate during emergencies.

That means better coordination and a stronger response when every second matters.

Strengthening South Carolina Communities

The budget provides $22 million for water and sewer projects through the Rural Infrastructure Authority.

These investments help communities repair aging infrastructure and expand essential services, particularly in rural areas and smaller communities where major infrastructure projects can be difficult to fund locally.

The budget also provides $80 million for land conservation and the Conservation Bank, helping preserve South Carolina’s natural resources and protect important land for future generations.

Supporting Essential Health and Human Services

The budget includes:

• $207 million for Health and Human Services funding requirements
• $46 million for Home and Community-Based Services
• $50.7 million to improve mental health and developmental disability services
• $34 million for DSS to meet new federal SNAP matching requirements

These investments help South Carolina meet its obligations while strengthening services for seniors, people with disabilities, and families who need support closer to home.

A Responsible Budget for South Carolina

This budget reflects the priorities we hear about from South Carolinians every day: keeping taxes low, supporting our schools, improving our roads, backing law enforcement, and making smart investments in our growing state.

Just as importantly, we did it while maintaining a balanced budget and being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

There is always more work to do, but this budget moves South Carolina forward on some of the issues that matter most to families and communities across our state.

I am proud of what we were able to accomplish and will continue working to make sure South Carolina remains a great place to live, work, raise a family, and build a future.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to represent you and to keep you informed about the work being done in Columbia. I welcome your feedback and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or would like more information on these or other issues before the General Assembly.

Originally published by State Rep. Charlie Hartz, District 81, Aiken County.