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The State House Gavel
The State House Gavel shares updates about the South Carolina General Assembly, including legislative actions, debates and discussions. Featuring news and interviews, so you have access to the latest developments in policy and decisions that shape South Carolina’s future.

The State House Gavel: Tort reform rally packs Capitol, SCDOT talks future

South Carolina Public Radio | By Maayan Schechter,
Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney
Published March 6, 2025 at 6:01 AM EST

Statehouse reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney and Maayan Schechter are back at the Capitol reporting what you need to know when lawmakers are in Columbia. They'll post news, important schedules, photos/videos and behind-the-scenes interviews with policymakers.

Happy Thursday, and the end of the Legislature's 8th Week .

We're somewhere around the middle of the 2025 session.

But, who is counting?

You're reading The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney and Maayan Schechter that previews and captures what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse this year while lawmakers are in session.

Scheduling note: The House returns on Monday to take up its version of the $14 billion spending plan. We will have a preview of that budget debate (plus more you might have missed this week) on Friday after representatives get their yearly budget briefing on Thursday.

And, speaking of scheduling, the House on Wednesday passed the Senate's sine die resolution that dictates what the Legislature can return to Columbia to take up after the final day of session, Thursday, May 8.

Echoing Senate leadership, House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, said the goal is to let members enjoy their summer, and only return to take up the budget and vetoes, if needed.

Notebook highlights:

  • Gov. Henry McMaster held a rally with Senate Republican leaders over tort reform legislation.
  • The secretary of the state's transportation department gave detailed testimony to lawmakers about the state of federal grants, road projects.
  • State Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kittredge gave his first formal address to the full Legislature, drawing focus to disparities in pay for magistrates.
GAVIN JACKSON

Gov, Senate GOP leaders rally around tort reform

Hundreds rallied at the Statehouse on Wednesday in support of tort reform — or at least the part of S. 244 that they align with.

As a refresher:

  • Tort reform seeks to limit liability payouts by defendants, often businesses and insurance companies.
  • Supporters argue current fault laws are unfair and exposure to large verdicts from lawsuits can force small businesses into bankruptcy.
  • Opponents of tort reform, primarily victims' groups and the lawyers who represent them, argue that stricter liability rules (there are some liability limits already written into law) restrict victims' access to justice and let wrongdoers escape full accountability.

    So what happened Wednesday: Gov. Henry McMaster asked the Legislature, as he did in his January State of the State address, that the General Assembly send him a "common sense" tort reform bill. Specifically what does he want? He did not say. But the bill is pretty comprehensive, touching on a variety of industries, like venues/bars/restaurants, manufacturing, construction, trucking and hospitals. And, if anything, McMaster aimed to send a message to opponents: Find some middle ground with the bill writer's to get this done.

    S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster on tort reform 3.5.25

    Who else spoke: Senate President Thomas Alexander, the Oconee Republican who has over the years pushed for tort reform, said, "We cannot allow the loudest voices to drown out the voices of those who simply want what is best for our beloved South Carolina."

    Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, the lead sponsor of S. 244, also spoke, reiterating most of what he's already said publicly and to reporters.

    S.C. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey on tort reform 3.5.25

    Opponents of the bill, who include trial attorneys, say the proposed legislation would only benefit insurance companies at the expense of victims.

    Dozens of opponents were at the Statehouse Wednesday and watched the remarks. Wearing red T-shirts against the bill, some held signs with S. 244 in a circle with a strike through it, others called out Massey specifically.

    Among the bill's critics in attendance was Anderson's Christopher Pracht, a personal injury attorney, who spoke to reporters about his issues with the bill.

    Critics of S. 244, the tort reform bill 3.5.25

    People gather in the second floor lobby of the South Carolina Statehouse to listen to a news conference supporting changes to the state's rules on civil lawsuits on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
    Jeffrey Collins/AP
    /
    AP
    People gather in the second floor lobby of the South Carolina Statehouse to listen to a news conference supporting changes to the state's rules on civil lawsuits on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

    State of the SCDOT

    It's been a very busy year at the S.C. Department of Transportation.

    On Wednesday, SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell gave his agency’s annual progress report on infrastructure and the needs of the rapidly-growing state.

    Here are key takeaways from his report:

    • SCDOT won over $400 million in discretionary grants, started construction on three major projects and responded to multiple natural disasters the agency is still rebuilding from.  
    • South Carolina is home to the worst rural road fatality rate. The agency is on track to complete work on 1,300 miles of deadly rural roads by 2027.  “That work is saving lives. On the projects that have been completed, we have seen a 20% reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes on those corridors,” Powell said. The agency oversees 41,000 miles of pavement, making it the fourth-largest road system in the nation. 
    • At any given time, 60 to 70 bridges are closed in the state. Current funding replaces 50 bridges a year, but without additional funding (like the $200 million added last year) the number of deficient bridges could swell to 3,900. As part of the 10-year plan, 530 bridges are set to be replaced by 2027. The House budget includes $200 million for bridges. 
    • Powell was up front on inflation and funding (state and federal) issues as the agency prepares to take on its Momentum 2050 plan — the next iteration of its long-term goals and projects. “The generational projects on the horizon will likely mean that we will need to consider borrowing,” Powell said. “Paying for all this will require new funds. Our revenue streams have not kept up with inflation or population growth. Act 40 (the 2017 gas tax increase) was a repair bill that was mostly focused on providing funding for pavements and safety, it was never meant to address congestion in a substantive way. While recent federal laws have allowed us to increase funding for bridges, interstates and congestion and have put one-time dollars in grants to work, the federal transportation reauthorization will be coming up for renewal next year, and while I have been working to make sure that South Carolina is front and center with the Trump administration, Washington may or may not be a place we can look to like we have in the past.” 
    • Electric vehicle drivers could eventually see an increase in the $60 annual EV fee meant to offset gas taxes that aren’t collected. That rate is the lowest in the Southeast, and below what the $200 average the agency says the average gas-powered vehicle driver pays at the pump. The move would require legislative action.   
    • Powell told Gavin Jackson later that it’s not certain the agency will get the same, high level of funding the state has seen in the past. As far as federal funding freezes and thaws, Powell said nothing is frozen besides money for electric vehicle charging stations. 

    Chief Justice goes to the Statehouse

    State Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kittredge addressed the entire General Assembly Wednesday for the first time, part of an annual tradition that the Legislature gathers for.

    It was his first address since becoming chief justice in August.

    Kittredge used the opportunity to tout the success of South Carolina’s drug courts, a special treatment court for non-violent offenders. He cited the court's "caring judges" as what has led to the court's success.

    S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kittredge 3.5.25

    Kittredge also urged lawmakers to address the pay disparities for hundreds of the state’s magistrate court judges, specifically the ones who are full time.

    In short, counties with larger populations and higher tax bases can pay their magistrates more than smaller counties.

    The pay disparity among full-time magistrates is "staggering," he said, adding that the highest-paid magistrate earns just above $130,000.

    Yet, he said, there are some barely earning $50,000.

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    Maayan Schechter
    Maayan Schechter (My-yahn Schek-ter) is a news reporter with South Carolina Public Radio and ETV. She worked at South Carolina newspapers for a decade, previously working as a reporter and then editor of The State’s S.C. State House and politics team, and as a reporter at the Aiken Standard and the Greenville News. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from the University of North Carolina-Asheville in 2013.
    See stories by Maayan Schechter
    Gavin Jackson
    Gavin Jackson graduated with a visual journalism degree from Kent State University in 2008 and has been in the news industry ever since. He has worked at newspapers in Ohio, Louisiana and most recently in South Carolina at the Florence Morning News and Charleston Post and Courier.
    See stories by Gavin Jackson
    Russ McKinney
    Russ McKinney has 30 years of experience in radio news and public affairs. He is a former broadcast news reporter in Spartanburg, Columbia and Atlanta. He served as Press Secretary to former S.C. Governor Dick Riley for two terms, and for 20 years was the chief public affairs officer for the University of South Carolina.
    See stories by Russ McKinney