August 26, 2026

The ball is in the South Carolina State House’s court following Gov. Henry McMaster’s line item veto announcements. The fiscal year 2026-2027 budget totals $15 billion. McMaster vetoed 14 line items, including one funding the Youth Challenge program, which closed in June. Most of the remainder had been addressed in other legislation. One veto of significance dealt with a pledge for construction of the Scout Motors, a Volkswagen subsidiary that produces electric vehicles, facility in Richland County. Construction work on the $2 billion production center began in 2024. State Senator