McMaster Vetoes $2.3M in Earmark Projects
On July 3rd, the Governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster, officially endorsed the state’s 2024-25 financial plan. The budget, encompassing billions of dollars, includes numerous policy propositions ranging from pay raises for police officers and teachers, to a substantial $200 million allocated for bridge and road repair. A notable feature of the budget is the $435 million of “pet projects” or earmarks, requested by state legislators for their respective districts. However, notwithstanding this substantial budget line, not all projects saw the light of day as McMaster exercised his veto power on 21 legislator-backed proposals, amounting to $2.3 million.
Earmarks Vetoed
Among the discarded earmarks, four, equating to $645,000, were set to fund organizations not registered as charities with the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office. The African American Settlement Communities Historic Commission, Inc., aiming to refurbish a schoolhouse near Charleston, and My Community’s Keeper Mentor Group, a Charleston-based child mentoring initiative, were two of the organizations affected by the veto.
Approved Earmarks
Despite his rejections, McMaster did give his seal of approval to a number of earmarks, demonstrating what he labelled as “worth giving state money.” Projects in this category include septic tank repairs on James Island, with another notable earmark supporting the 2025 national conference for historically Black colleges and universities, which is slated to take place in Charleston.
Environmental Concerns
McMaster also eliminated two clauses pertinent to coastal preservation. These vetoes concerned regulations around building seawalls and policies focused on beach erosion. The sections vetoed would have relaxed the rules for property owners challenging the designation of beachfronts in seawall construction. The Governor has stated that the inclusion of these measures as temporary laws would only serve to disturb the existing system, generating more problems than solutions.
Recent Headlines in Charleston
Besides the budget vetoes, recent news in Charleston includes completion of a racial bias audit by the Charleston Police Department, indicating that more progress is still needed. Additionally, six people were rescued after their boat capsized near Charleston Harbor, and activity around the planning for rail transport improvements by the S.C. Department of Transportation has increased following input from advocates for bike and pedestrian safety. In an unusual turn of events, Charleston County Probate Judge Irv Condon has opted to fight against reimbursing the unauthorized expenses flagged by the county two months previously. In positive news, a substantial waterfront park is scheduled for development on Daniel Island, as part of a wider greenbelt preservation initiative.
In conclusion, Governor Henry McMaster’s approval of the 2024-25 budget, along with his vetoes targeting specific earmarks and policies, will shape the fiscal and political environment in the region for the forthcoming year. His decisions shed light on where state resources will be channeled, and which projects and policies are deemed most critical for the betterment and future of South Carolina’s communities.
