ALAN BUCKALEW for State House Representative District 28 serving Southern Greenville County

Alan Buckalew supports eliminating taxes on tips because hardworking service industry employees deserve to keep more of the money they earn. But Alan also believes tax relief alone is not enough to address the financial challenges facing workers across South Carolina. For many tipped employees, a tax exemption may only provide limited relief at the end of the year while the day-to-day cost of living continues to rise. South Carolina’s tipped wage remains among the lowest in the nation, with many service workers earning just a few dollars an hour before tips. In some cases, restaurant workers and servers can spend more on transportation and parking for a shift than they earn in base pay on a slow day. Alan believes that is unacceptable. Alan supports policies that strengthen wages, improve working conditions, and ensure economic growth benefits the people who keep our communities running every day. He believes putting more money in the pockets of working families helps local businesses, strengthens the economy, and builds a more stable future for South Carolina workers. 

AI is the future; there is no stopping it. Alan Buckalew believes artificial intelligence will play a major role in the future of our economy and society, and South Carolina must be prepared to meet both the opportunities and challenges that come with it. While AI and large-scale data centers can bring investment and technological advancement, Alan believes growth must be balanced with responsible oversight that protects workers, communities, natural resources, and taxpayers. As major technology companies expand across the country, South Carolina must ensure these projects provide meaningful benefits to local communities — not just profits for corporate executives and outside investors. Large data centers consume enormous amounts of land, water, and energy, often while creating relatively few permanent jobs. Alan believes companies seeking to build and operate these facilities in our state should meet strong standards for environmental responsibility, energy sustainability, infrastructure investment, and local economic impact. Alan supports common-sense regulations that encourage innovation while protecting South Carolina families, workers, and communities. He believes any company benefiting from our state’s resources should also invest back into the people and communities that make that success possible. 

(The current data center in Spartanburg occupies 600 acres, 850k sqft, requires a 400-megawatt energy production increase while only bringing 150 jobs)

Alan Buckalew supports the legalization of medical cannabis and believes South Carolina should have an open and honest conversation about broader cannabis reform. For patients battling cancer, individuals receiving end-of-life care, and first responders and veterans coping with PTSD, access to medical cannabis could provide meaningful relief and improve quality of life. Alan also recognizes the economic opportunities cannabis reform could create for South Carolina. Legalization could open new markets for local farmers, create jobs, and generate significant new revenue that could be reinvested into schools, infrastructure, public safety, and community programs across the state. In addition, Alan believes non-violent cannabis offenses should not continue to overcrowd jails and burden taxpayers with unnecessary costs. By focusing law enforcement resources on serious crime instead of low-level marijuana offenses, South Carolina can create a more efficient and fair justice system while strengthening public safety by cutting off a source of funding that emboldens and arms our adversaries both at home, and abroad.