Missed Gov. McMaster’s final State of the State address? Here’s the takeaways

Before Gov. Henry McMaster gave his ninth and final State of the State address Wednesday night, this longtime friend and Senate President Thomas Alexander recognized him for his long service to South Carolina.

“I am very proud to call him my governor,” Alexander said. “And I am even prouder to call him my friend.”

The gathered General Assembly gave the state’s longest serving governor a standing ovation.

In his roughly hour long speech, McMaster reflected on those years of service, laid out his priorities for his final months and touted his accomplishments.

He also gave a prideful history lesson on South Carolina winning America’s War of Independence, offered a vision for the state’s future and thanked his family and administration. In case you missed it, here are the highlights:

Bolstering K-12 and higher education

McMaster said schools became safer in his tenure as governor, touting past efforts to get police officers in schools and setting a goal to have one in every school this year.

He also highlighted the increase in armed school resource officers, including by inviting officers that helped save a child in Chester County to the address. The officers were vital to subduing someone who allegedly attacked a teacher, in an attempt to kidnap a disabled student, in an elementary school, McMaster said.

Improving education, including bolstering teacher pay and pushing for universal 4K, were also prioritized in McMaster’s remarks.

He recommended putting more funding into public and private 4K and eventually making the program universal for all students, regardless of income.

McMaster again asked the General Assembly to raise minimum teacher pay to more than $50,000. In 2017, when McMaster came into office, the minimum starting pay was just over$30,000.

McMaster said colleges and universities needed to remain affordable, particularly for in-state students. He pushed for a study into whether South Carolina’s public higher education schools have long-term stability.

“I believe we must commission a serious systemic review of our state’s 33 public institutions of higher education,” McMaster said. “Will they be accessible and affordable? Are they responsive and innovative? Are they well run? Should we consolidate schools, programs, certificates and degrees? And will enrollment grow, plateau or shrink?”

SC’s growing population

The governor reiterated his desire for a study into how South Carolina’s government resources and infrastructure accommodate population growth over the next two decades.

South Carolina grew more than any other state last year, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data. Understanding how the population growth, which was 1.5% between July 2024 and 2025, impacts the state’s infrastructure and resources is vital, McMaster said.

“Left unaddressed, we will face future problems with water and sewer access, traffic congestion, road and bridge repair, demand for electric power generation, public safety, school overcrowding and healthcare availability,” he said.

Making tax cuts

McMaster reflected on efforts to reduce the income tax, arguing the proposal brought new residents and business to South Carolina

He said he would support the General Assembly eliminating the state income tax, though he included just a 0.1% decrease in his version of the budget.

“This year, I have again proposed cutting the personal income tax rate as much as we can, and as fast as we can,” McMaster said. “And if the General Assembly can find a way to eliminate it altogether, I will sign it the second it arrives on my desk.” The statement led to a round of applause from attendees.

Nuclear and energy generation

Last year, McMaster endorsed restarting the two unfinished nuclear reactors at V.C. Summer. A year later, he says South Carolina will lead the U.S.’s “nuclear renaissance” with the project.

“South Carolina has both the experience and the infrastructure needed to lead this nuclear renaissance to provide ample, clean, resilient energy for the future,” McMaster said.

McMaster also reiterated efforts to generate more power in the state as the population and industry demands grow.

Conserving SC’s natural resources

Protecting natural resources, creating new state parks and preserving South Carolina historical monuments were achievements highlighted by McMaster.

“Protecting our land is a gift for all our people,” McMaster said. “With insight and continued hard work, we can achieve the goal helping private and public property owners with preserving half their lands for future generations, and making our South Carolina recognizable as the closest thing we have to heaven on earth.”

South Carolina won the Revolutionary War

McMaster said the Revolutionary War was won in South Carolina, when a definitive battle was victorious for the patriots in King Mountain.

He reflected on the history of South Carolina, from its native America beginnings through the colonial period and the Revolutionary War, and to his nine years leading the state.

He also highlighted plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War in South Carolina through reenactments and historical site markers.

“Our state’s history and culture are unsurpassed in the creation of this nation,” McMaster said. “It is well-documented in books and by the hundreds of historical markers, monuments, buildings and homes preserved and dedicated to telling our state’s story. The names of our towns, streets, institutions, rivers and families carry that history forward to this day.”

McMaster said he invited the duke and duchess of Edinburgh for the state’s commemoration of the Battle of Fort Sumter.

Shouting out McMaster’s family

McMaster said his children and young grandchildren were in attendance.

He also thanked his wife of nearly 50 years, Peggy.

“A lady who has given her time and energies to protecting the children and animals of our state, and to turning the Governor’s Mansion and Gardens into a masterpiece of beauty and history for all of our people,” McMaster said. “I would like to thank and recognize the best wife, friend and counselor in the world, my wife of almost fifty years, Peggy Jean McAbee McMaster.”

“Stand up, girl,” he said, pointing to Peggy in the gallery. “I love you. That’s my girl.”

Democratic lawmaker slams state of SC

State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, drew a much less flattering image of South Carolina, pointing to affordability concerns and civil rights backsliding in the state during the Democrats response to McMaster’s speech.

“22 years of single party rule, and if they truly care about you, they would have done something already,” said Johnson, who is running to succeed McMaster for governor.

“But with all that power, they have done nothing for you and only enriched themselves,” he said.