South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will deliver his annual State of the State address tonight before a joint session of the General Assembly. The speech, scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the House Chamber, will outline his key legislative priorities for the year ahead.

Following his address, State Senator Margie Bright Matthews, a Democrat from District 45, will deliver a rebuttal on behalf of the South Carolina Democratic Party. She is expected to address education, healthcare, economic development, and criminal justice reform.

Governor McMaster’s Key Priorities for 2025

Governor McMaster has already shared some of his top priorities through his executive budget, which he released on January 13. These key areas are expected to be central to his State of the State address.

1. Lowering the State Income Tax Rate

One of the governor’s main goals is to continue reducing South Carolina’s income tax to provide relief for residents. Over the past few years, the state has made incremental cuts, and McMaster is pushing to further lower the tax rate to make South Carolina more economically competitive.

2. Increasing Teacher Salaries to $50,000

Education remains a top priority for McMaster, and he is advocating for an increase in the minimum salary for South Carolina teachers to at least $50,000. By raising teacher pay, the state aims to attract and retain high-quality educators.

3. Expanding School Safety Measures

McMaster wants to ensure that every public school in South Carolina has a school resource officer to improve safety. His budget proposes funding to cover the remaining 177 schools that do not yet have an officer.

4. Extending College Tuition Freeze

For the sixth consecutive year, McMaster is proposing to freeze tuition at state colleges and universities. This move aims to ease the financial burden on students and families while making higher education more affordable.

Democratic Response: Senator Margie Bright Matthews’ Rebuttal

After Governor McMaster’s speech, State Senator Margie Bright Matthews will provide a Democratic response. Representing District 45, which includes parts of Charleston, Colleton, Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, Matthews is expected to focus on education, healthcare, economic development, and criminal justice reform.

1. Education and School Funding

Democrats have long pushed for greater investment in public education. Matthews is likely to argue that while raising teacher salaries is important, more funding is needed for school infrastructure, classroom resources, and student support programs.

2. Expanding Healthcare Access

One of the biggest topics in the Democratic response will be healthcare access. Matthews and other Democratic leaders have repeatedly called for Medicaid expansion, which they argue would provide coverage to thousands of low-income residents.

3. Economic Development and Worker Protections

Democrats want to ensure that economic growth benefits all South Carolinians, not just large corporations. Matthews is expected to highlight policies that support small businesses, higher wages, and job training programs.

4. Criminal Justice Reform

Matthews has been a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, particularly regarding sentencing laws and law enforcement accountability. She is likely to criticize McMaster’s policies and push for more progressive reforms.

Who Is Margie Bright Matthews?

Senator Margie Bright Matthews has represented District 45 since 2015. She took over the seat from the late Senator Clementa Pinckney, who was tragically killed in the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston in June 2015.

Matthews has been a leading voice for South Carolina Democrats, advocating for equity, justice, and community-focused policies. She is expected to use her speech to challenge McMaster’s agenda and present a Democratic vision for the state.

What to Expect from Tonight’s Address

As South Carolina’s political leaders lay out their visions for 2025, residents can expect a sharp contrast between Republican and Democratic priorities. While McMaster will focus on tax cuts, education funding, and law enforcement, Matthews is likely to push for expanded healthcare access, economic fairness, and progressive reforms.

With major policy decisions on the horizon, tonight’s State of the State address and the Democratic rebuttal will set the stage for South Carolina’s legislative battles in the year ahead.

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