
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, left, speaks at a news conference revealing his proposal for the state budget as Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, right, listens, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

State Rep. Hamilton Grant, D-Columbia, takes notes during a meeting of the Legislative Black Caucus, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

State c Rep. Jerry Govan, left, D- Orangeburg, left, and state Rep. Rob Harris, right, R- Wellford, chat before the House's first session, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

Republican state Sens. Roger Nutt of Moore, left, Everett Stubbs of Rock Hill, center, and JD Chaplin of Darlington, right, chat on their first day in the Senate, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

South Carolina House Speaker Pro Tem Tommy Pope, R-York, speaks to a member on the first day in the Senate, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis speaks at a meeting of the Legislative Black Caucus, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

State Sen. Ronnie Cromer, R-Prosperity, prays during the first day of the Senate session, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis, left, looks at notes before speaking at a meeting of the Legislative Black Caucus, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

State Sen. Everett Stubbs, R-Rock Hill, left, finds out information from a staffer on his first day in the Senate, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis, left, presents a check for unclaimed money to Democratic state Rep. Annie McDaniel of Winnsboro at a meeting of the Legislative Black Caucus ,Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster speaks at a news conference revealing his proposal for the state budget on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

State Sens. Billy Garrett, left, R- Lexington, and Brian Adams, R-Goose Creek, talk before a Senate session, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

A sign against the nomination of Edward Simmer as director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health is held up in the lobby of the Statehouse, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

State Reps. Jeff Bradley, left, R- Hilton Head Island, and Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg, speak before their first day of the legislative session, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

State Sen. Jeff Zell, R-Sumter, arrives for his first day in the Senate, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)