Community leaders will host forum Wednesday to discuss impact of Trump’s tax law on SC

FILE – South Carolina state house (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

(WCIV) — It’s been nearly a month since Trump’s tax and spending law, known as the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’, went into effect after being signed into law on July 4th.

Wednesday night, community leaders are hosting a forum regarding the newly enacted megabill.

Organizers of the event say they want this forum to serve as a way to inform the public about what they believe to be the harms of Trump’s tax and spending package for residents of South Carolina.

Those in favor of the relatively new law say it will be beneficial for people in the Palmetto State and they plan to keep fighting in support of it.

The nearly 900 page piece of legislation includes tax breaks, spending cuts, and an increase in spending for national defense and deportations.

The package extends $4.5 trillion in tax breaks from Trump’s first term in 2017, and it also includes deductions for tips and overtime pay and a six thousand dollar deduction for older adults earning less than $75,000.

To balance out the loss in tax revenue, the law includes a $1.2 trillion cut to Medicaid and food stamps.

One of the organizers of Wednesday night’s forum, Pastor Thomas Dixon, who also serves as the County Party Chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party, says he believes the law negatively impacts everyone.

“We wanted to make sure that this forum was not a partisan forum, because we’re just gonna talk about the issue. We’re talking about humanity, we’re talking about humanness, we’re talking about taking care of people,” he emphasized. “When you’re blindsided by a punch, that’s how people get knocked out. That’s what’s going to happen with this bill.”

Dixon also said some of the items that stood out to him about the law include the number of South Carolinians who may lose their healthcare, veterans who may go unprotected, and increases in taxes for those who can’t afford it.

“There’s so many aspects of this bill that jumped out at me and have jumped out at others who have looked into this bill that it’s really hard to believe that anyone with any kind of soul, any kind of compassion in their heart for others would go along with this type of a bill,” Dixson said.

News 4 did reach out to those who do support the package ahead of the forum.

Senator Lindsey Graham’s team sent a statement reading:

The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers real, lasting results for the people of South Carolina. The bill will save the average South Carolina family over $2,000 annually, safeguard $7.5 billion in wages for South Carolina workers, make historic investments in border security, protect our seniors, and strengthen Medicaid to ensure those most in need receive the help they deserve. As Senate Budget Chairman, Senator Lindsey Graham worked hand-in-hand with President Trump to pass this historic bill, and he’ll keep fighting to make sure these benefits and protections are here to stay.

Senator Tim Scott’s team directed us to a recent press release where Scott referred to the newly enacted law as a “gamechanger”.

News 4 also contacted other political leaders and will bring updates to this story when we receive them.

The forum is scheduled for Wednesday evening at the Charleston County Library, and speakers include SC State Representative, Courtney Waters (D-113), Dr. Annie Andrews, Immigration advocate, Will McCorkle, and youth advocate, Jarod Peschl.

Dr. Annie Andrews is currently looking to unseat Senator Lindsey Graham to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.

She sent News 4 a statement ahead of the forum regarding her stance on the package.

The Republican assault on our healthcare system rips care away from kids and families, all to give tax breaks to some of the wealthiest Americans. I’ve spent two decades in children’s hospitals as a pediatrician. I know these Medicaid cuts will be devastating for South Carolina. Rural hospitals will close, access to life-saving care will be cut off, and costs will go up for families. It’s heartbreaking, it’s avoidable, and it’s a choice being made by career politicians who are looking out for their big donors instead of prioritizing our health.

Andrews is joined by democrats Brandon Brown, Catherine Fleming Bruce, Kyle Freeman and Christopher Giarcello in the race against Graham.

Libertarian Kasie Whitener is also running.

On the Republican side, André Bauer and Mark Lynch are running.

The general election is November 3rd of 2026.

The 50501 organization and Indivisible Charleston Chapter will also give remarks at Wednesday’s forum.

Dixon says seats are limited and it will be recorded and posted to social media for those who cannot attend.