Governor McMaster Takes Limited Action on State Budget with Vetoes
COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a press conference on Wednesday, Governor Henry McMaster revealed his line item vetoes to the recently passed state budget, choosing to strike down only a few legislative provisions. The budget, approved last week by the Republican-controlled legislature, includes a notable pay raise of $18,000 annually for state lawmakers—the first in nearly three decades.
McMaster vetoed just 11 provisions, a reduction from the 21 vetoes he issued the previous year. He praised the legislature’s adherence to 80% of his office’s budget proposals, highlighting the plan’s overall strength. “South Carolina’s booming economy is the envy of the nation,” McMaster stated, emphasizing tax cuts, investments in education, and initiatives to improve school safety.
Among the vetoed items was a proposal allowing certain counties to employ private security instead of certified school resource officers (SROs). McMaster firmly maintained that funding for a full-time, armed SRO in every public school is his priority, ensuring all schools have the necessary security personnel by the next school year.
Other vetoes targeted measures deemed unnecessary or redundant, including the rental of school buses to nonprofits and the proposal to authorize third-party reviews of government agency efficiency.
Ultimately, the governor’s vetoes did not significantly reshape the budget, leaving the majority of funding-related provisions intact. The approved budget is set to take effect on July 1, marking a continued investment in South Carolina’s educational and safety frameworks while granting state legislators a long-awaited pay increase.
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