Rep. Brandon Newton is the youngest member of the South Carolina House of Representatives at 27 years old. He had not yet graduated from college when he became a candidate for his House seat in 2016. His constituents in Lancaster and York counties have an energetic and dedicated representative working for them in Columbia.
Newton joined the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance® as the speaker at the April Advocacy in Action program and updated investors on the South Carolina Legislative Session.
Newton is the chief majority whip in the House and serves on the Judiciary and Rules committees. As the “chief vote counter” by virtue of his role as whip, Newton is tasked with making sure legislation brought to the floor has the votes necessary to pass.
Leadership in the South Carolina House has entrusted Newton with advancing important legislation as well. Earlier this year, Newton shepherded an election reform bill through the House. The bill was approved unanimously in the House and now must be taken up by the Senate.
In his wide-ranging conversation with CLT Alliance investors Friday, Newton covered many topics under consideration in Columbia including tax reform, workforce development and infrastructure.
Tying all of his work together is the idea of representing his constituents from the Charlotte Region. Newton noted that South Carolina has four metros – Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Charlotte. While the principal city of the metro is in North Carolina, there is no doubt the region is seeing tremendous growth – in population and businesses – in South Carolina.
Newton noted York and Lancaster counties are two of the biggest counties in the state, with Lancaster County being the second-fastest growing county and York being the fourth-fastest growing.
“We’re gaining political power through our growth but also through our economic impact,” Newton said. “Even though there may be an imaginary line in the sand that separates our states, our economic futures are tied together. The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance has done a wonderful job of bringing that message to the South Carolina statehouse.”
Among the issues being debated in Columbia this Legislative Session, tax reform is among the most critical. Newton noted the state tax code has not been updated in a meaningful way in decades.
“We have the highest income tax rate in the Southeast,” Newton said. “That’s a huge perception problem.”
The House and Senate both have passed tax reform proposals and could come to an agreement on them before the General Assembly adjourns the second week of May. Newton shared the chambers will have to come to an agreement on individual tax rate reductions and brackets to get a deal done.
In addition to tax reform, workforce development is key to sustaining and increasing economic growth. Newton outlined what South Carolina is doing to address workforce needs.
South Carolina created the state’s first needs-based scholarship program and is supporting it with sustained funding. Additionally, students at technical schools can attend for free for the next two years if they are studying toward in-demand vocations, such as plumbing, welding or nursing.
“If we have these shortages in these professions, we need to make it as easy as possible for students to fill those roles, and we are trying to do that through our funding of our higher education system.” Newton said.
Newton also covered how South Carolina is addressing workforce needs at the state level and for teachers. The House-approved budget calls for a three percent raise for all state employees, increases in salaries for state law enforcement officers and an increase in starting salaries for all teachers to $40,000. Newton noted the minimum starting salary for teachers was $28,000 just four years ago.
Newton also touched on the importance of infrastructure in economic development.
“We don’t usually do ribbon cuttings for a new sewer line, but you cannot provide economic development for a lot of our rural areas without water, sewer or broadband infrastructure,” Newton said. “If an area does not have broadband, it might as well not have water and sewer.”
To address critical infrastructure needs, Newton worked with his colleagues to ensure American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds will be used to make infrastructure upgrades across the state.
On transportation infrastructure, Newton shared how York County has been a leader in supporting local funding of projects. South Carolina recently raised its gas tax, but local funding remains important for completing local projects. Newton said a one penny sales tax is the most common funding mechanism adopted by voters, with voters in some counties giving greater support each time a local transportation funding question is on the ballot.
Regarding curbside pickup of beer and wine from retailers, the House has passed a bill with overwhelming support, which would permit this activity. The bill is now in the Senate for approval.
“It’s all about modernizing our economy,” Newton said.
Newton is looking forward to continuing to work on behalf of the Charlotte Region for the remainder of this Legislative Session and beyond. He shared good advice he has received from his colleague, Rep. Gary Simrill, the House majority leader, who is retiring later this year.
“Politics plays a huge role in our job, but policy should always play the most important role.”
