MARLBORO COUNTY — Speaking before Marlboro County Council, SC State Rep. Jason Scott Luck of District 54 covered a wide range of issues currently affecting Marlboro County residents — from the state’s currently unfinished budget and legislation issues, to providing further updates on Lake Paul Wallace.
He explained that although the regular legislative session has ended, lawmakers have not fully wrapped up the year’s work.
“We’re still technically in session,” Luck said, explaining that lawmakers were called back by the governor to address redistricting issues and complete the state budget. The redistricting proposal ultimately did not pass, and the budget remains unfinished.
DOT Reform
Among the major pieces of legislation Luck identifies as wins is a Department of Transportation reform bill that has now been enacted into law. He said the measure was longer and more complicated when it first arrived in the House but was “pared down and simplified” before final passage.
Luck says he believes the law should help the DOT move projects more quickly by cutting red tape and streamlining the bidding and contracting process.
“I think the most — I hate to use the word impactful — but the most important change this statute provides is just streamlining the process,” Luck said. “Just allowing DOT and its contractors to get the bids, get the contracts, and get things fixed fast, fast, fast.”
The law also includes a provision allowing county councils, in certain circumstances, to assume the role of county transportation committees, which oversee the distribution of C-funds for roads.
DUI Reform
Luck said lawmakers are also considering substantial DUI reform, including sentencing and procedural changes intended to make South Carolina “a lot less soft on DUIs.”
“We have kind of a reputation in the state of being a little easy on DUIs,” Luck said.
Both the House and Senate passed versions of the bill, but the measures do not match. Luck said the issue is now in conference committee, where three House members and three Senate members are trying to work out a compromise.
“As of right now, we don’t have anything to vote on,” Luck said. “So, we’ll see where that goes. If we finally end without a decision, then that bill’s dead.”
Hemp consumables controversy
Another major issue, according to Luck, was legislation addressing hemp consumables, including THC drinks and similar products sold at gas stations, head shops and other retailers. Luck described the debate as unusually unpredictable.
“The battle lines were not drawn by party,” Luck said. “It really was kind of a free-for-all, and it was fascinating.”
Luck said the bill shifted between an outright ban and a regulatory framework before a conference committee produced a compromise that failed to satisfy either side.
“What ended up happening, nobody was happy,” Luck said. “And for the first time in a long time, I watched a lot of Republicans, and a lot of Democrats get together and kill a bill.”
Luck said the issue is likely to be returned next year, and he adds, “If we’re going to do it, let’s do it right,” continuing, “So, either if it’s a complete ban or if it’s comprehensive regulation, let’s do it right.”
Budget remains unfinished
The state budget remains in conference committee after the House and Senate each passed different versions. Luck said lawmakers were supposed to have a budget in place by July 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year.
“We don’t have a budget,” Luck said. “So, we are actually operating under last year’s budget. So, we’re not like the federal government. If we can’t get our act together, the state doesn’t shut down. We just operate on last year’s budget.”
According to Luck, the budget conference committee includes Rep. Jackie Hayes, another Marlboro County representative and the only Democrat on the House side. Luck declined to discuss rumors about budget negotiations and said he would “trust the process.”
“It’s in the conference committee, and I think we will come to some sort of compromise,” Luck said, adding that he expects to be called back to Columbia to vote along with the rest of the legislature.
Legislation talks
Luck emphasized that even though several large bills remain unresolved, the legislature still passed smaller bills that could still have meaningful effects for the state as a whole and Marlboro County residents.
“Don’t think that just because these bigger things are sitting here languishing, nothing happened,” Luck said. “It’s just that when you build a wall, you use lots of bricks. Bricks are small sometimes.”
One example Luck cited related to heirs’ property. He said the change is intended to help heirs avoid repeated reassessments and excessive transfer issues when property is passed among heirs.
“It’s bigger in some of the coastal counties where there’s a ton of heirs property,” Luck said, “but I assure you we’ve got plenty in this county too and in the other three counties that I serve.”
Opposing the Income Tax Bracket change
Addressing changes to the state’s income tax brackets, Luck said he opposes the move because some constituents in his district would see taxes increase even as the overall income tax rate declined.
“Hey, if it works out and it’s good, then I’ll be the first one to say I was wrong,” Luck said. “But I didn’t like it, and I think our taxes are plenty low as it is income-wise.”
He also voiced concern that the state’s government is already operating on a limited budget, citing the Department of Administration’s four-day workweek as an example.
Update on Lake Paul Wallace and answering Homestead Exemption questions
During his presentation, Luck was asked whether the remaining $9 million to $10 million for Lake Paul Wallace restorations is included in the 2026-27 budget.
He answered, “Correct. It is, and I feel comfortable about that going forward. I’ll just leave it at that.”
Luck was also asked about the homestead exemption proposal, and he explained the Senate passed a change that would save residents money while creating a significant budget hole.
“Big hole in budget, save lots of money, and we’re going to have to pay for it,” Luck said. He added that the measure passed the Senate but not the House and may now be part of budget negotiations.
“The short version is a question mark,” Luck said. “We don’t know.”
He added that even though he is waiting to be called back to Columbia, he remains available locally to constituents.
“You can always find me in my office down the street,” Luck said. “I can’t hide. I refuse to hide.”