SUMMARY: Billy Hutto, Jr.’s pardon request was denied after he was convicted of causing the death of six-year-old Emma Longstreet in a DUI crash on New Year’s Day 2012. Hutto, with a blood alcohol level of .208, received a 10-year prison sentence but was released after six years for good behavior. During the hearing, Hutto expressed regret, while Emma’s parents, David and Karen Longstreet, fiercely opposed the pardon, describing their ongoing grief. The board unanimously denied Hutto’s request, acknowledging the emotional impact on Emma’s family. Her death prompted the enactment of “Emma’s Law” to enforce stricter DUI regulations.

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SUMMARY: Governor Henry McMaster’s Executive Budget continues a proviso preventing taxpayer dollars from funding abortion providers like Planned Parenthood, asserting that such organizations do not reflect South Carolinian values. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic counters that their funding primarily comes from Medicaid reimbursements for services provided, which do not include abortions. Director Vicki Ringer emphasizes the importance of understanding this distinction, noting that these cuts could harm Medicaid patients who already face a shortage of available providers. She highlights growing healthcare challenges in South Carolina, including high maternal and infant mortality rates, exacerbated by the state’s abortion ban.

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SUMMARY: Gov. Henry McMaster will deliver his 2025 State of the State address on January 25, 2023, at 7 p.m. in Columbia, S.C. He will highlight key budget themes, including income tax cuts, teacher pay raises, and infrastructure investments. McMaster, who previously criticized unions and praised South Carolina’s economy, will outline his legislative agenda. State Sen. Margie Bright Matthews will deliver the Democratic rebuttal, emphasizing justice, equity, economic development, education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform. Matthews aims to offer a vision for a more equitable and prosperous South Carolina, despite the state’s challenges.

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