Governor Henry McMaster Certifies $14 Billion South Carolina Budget with $1.2B Infrastructure Focus

COLUMBIA, SC — South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster formally certified the state’s $14.2 billion FY 2026–2027 General Appropriations Act, delivering his official line-item veto message to the General Assembly while safeguarding historic funding for infrastructure and workforce education.

Investing State Surplus in Bridges, Water Systems, and Port Expansion

The certified budget dedicates $1.2 billion in non-recurring surplus revenues to replace 200 load-restricted rural bridges, modernize municipal wastewater treatment systems in the Pee Dee and Lowcountry regions, and fund rail logistics expansions at the Port of Charleston. The fiscal plan also cuts the state’s top individual income tax rate from 6.4% to 6.2%, providing $120 million in annualized taxpayer savings.

Governor McMaster affirmed that South Carolina's disciplined fiscal stewardship enables bold capital investments that attract global industrial investment while returning surplus tax dollars to hardworking citizens.

General Assembly and Business Federation Perspectives

South Carolina Chamber of Commerce leaders commended the budget for prioritizing infrastructure and income tax cuts.

Legislative budget leaders confirmed they will review gubernatorial line-item vetoes during the upcoming fall organizational session.

Fiscal Year Enforcement

The certified state budget appropriations take immediate statutory effect across all South Carolina state agencies.