NFIB State Director Ben Homeyer wrote the following column thanking state Rep. Brandon Newton for his support of small businesses during the 2026 session of the General Assembly.

Running a small business has never been easy, but the challenges facing Main Street businesses today are real. Inflation continues to drive up the cost of equipment, supplies, insurance, and payroll, while business owners are also dealing with increasing paperwork, regulations, and taxes that pull them away from actually running their businesses.

That is why South Carolina’s small business community appreciates the leadership shown this year by Rep. Brandon Newton.

Throughout the legislative session, Rep. Newton consistently pushed for policies focused on making it easier to own, operate, and grow a small business in South Carolina. More importantly, he understands that small businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy. They create jobs, sponsor local ball teams, support charities, and invest in the communities where they live and work.

One of the most important efforts he supported was H. 5006, legislation aimed at providing relief from the business personal property tax. The bill would exempt the first $10,000 of business personal property from taxation and eliminate filing requirements for businesses under that threshold.  That bill ultimately passed along with unemployment insurance changes in S688 and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.  The UI portion of the bill includes reforms designed to improve the state’s unemployment insurance system while providing additional tax relief and predictability for employers across South Carolina.

For many small business owners, that matters.

Right now, businesses often pay sales tax when they purchase equipment like computers, tools, machinery, or office furniture — and then continue paying taxes on those same items year after year through the business personal property tax system. S. 688 would provide meaningful relief while also cutting down on unnecessary paperwork and administrative burdens.

Rep. Newton also played an important role in advancing H. 3021, a major regulatory reform bill focused on improving the state’s rulemaking process.

Too often, small businesses are forced to absorb the cost of new regulations without having the staff, attorneys, or compliance departments that larger corporations have at their disposal. H. 3021 would require agencies to more carefully evaluate the impact new regulations have on small businesses and justify the authority behind those regulations before they are implemented.

Just as importantly, it would require older regulations to be periodically reviewed instead of simply remaining on the books indefinitely.

That kind of accountability matters to small business owners who are already operating on thin margins and limited time.

Taken together, these efforts send a clear message that South Carolina remains focused on supporting the small businesses that drive our economy forward.

Small business owners are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for a fair opportunity to grow their businesses, hire employees, and continue serving their communities without being overwhelmed by taxes, regulations, and red tape.