In 2009, the Policy Council released a report highlighting issues surrounding the risks of depressing future asset growth and health care costs for the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS). In…
A WEAK LIMIT IS WORSE THAN NO LIMIT If the last few legislative sessions prove anything, it’s that almost nothing can compel state lawmakers to exercise spending restraint. A report…
In South Carolina, 2011 turned out to be a watershed year in at least one respect. For the first time, the merits of government-driven “economic development,” and especially the use…
In recent months, some of our state lawmakers have spoken of South Carolina’s tax structure as if it’s the lowest, most business-friendly in the world. Some, indeed, have claimed we…
Part of the Obama administration’s stimulus bill established unemployment “incentive grants” to states who “modernize” (translation: expand) unemployment benefit eligibility. Any state whose law coheres with federal standards could receive…
The James E. Clyburn University Transportation Research and Conference Center at South Carolina State University is a $107 million dollar project. The complex was intended to serve as a transportation…
Thursday, November 10, 2011 – Today the South Carolina Policy Council, in conjunction with the Washington D.C.-based American Council of Trustees and Alumni, released a study concluding that the state’s public…
The Goal We want to make South Carolina the most free state in the nation. To accomplish that goal, we’ll focus on three American principles: Self-governance. Ideas and policies that…
In recent months, the South Carolina Health Planning Committee has seen presentations by industry experts, academics, lawyers, consultants, and insurance companies on the state’s health insurance market. Its charge? To…
In 2004, Jon Stewart’s Daily Show featured South Carolina in a hilarious segment about the state’s absurd regulations on hair braiding. That’s right. Regulations on hair braiding. The segment featured an…
Every year, South Carolina becomes more dependent on the federal government, and every year the state loses more control over its own affairs to Washington DC. The federal government has…
The federal government is trying to run the U.S. economy – and South Carolina is helping out by taking federal grants for “economic development.” Why? Because it’s free money from…
For decades, South Carolina lawmakers have cobbled together the state budget with little input from anyone but lobbyists and bureaucrats. Except for vetoes on the back end, the governor had…
Our taxpayer-supported colleges and universities should get back to their mission of educating young people – and leave economic development to the market.
ACTA's hope is that this report will be an urgent call to action to help the citizens and policymakers of South Carolina strengthen the state's public higher education system and…
With a $14 trillion debt and a $1.3 trillion deficit threatening to bankrupt the federal government, the nation’s attention is focused on Washington DC. But it’s vital that we understand…
The Policy Council and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni recently took a look at the state’s higher education system. What we found was bad news for taxpayers .…
In South Carolina, the law requires the governor to submit the state budget to the legislature at the beginning of each legislative session. Yet what happens in practice, as SCPC…
Section 11-11-20 of the S.C. Code of laws stipulates all state agencies submit their budget requests for fiscal year 2012 – 2013 on or before November 1st. Now that the…
Recently the Policy Council was delighted to sponsor a book signing, round table discussion, and reception featuring Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch, longtime editors of Reason Magazine and authors of…
For decades, South Carolina lawmakers have cobbled together the state budget with virtually no input from the governor. The state’s spending priorities were largely dictated by members of the General…
When Congress originally passed the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” the plan was for the federal government to set up a national “health exchange” – a single government-run “market”…
A vast number of new federal healthcare regulations are introduced in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), most of which will be enforced through state or federally run…
In a recent piece on Slate.com, former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer calls a pair of South Carolina politicians “hypocritical” for, on the one hand, criticizing Obamacare's individual health insurance…
At issue, of course, is the law Now Child Left Behind (NCLB), now in its tenth year. To understand what the news is all about, you need to understand what…
What’s the Committee doing? Over the last few months (check out our video coverage), we’ve watched a roomful of policymakers and health care officials struggle to come to grips with…
Film incentives are back in the news. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has pulled the plug on a $420,000 credit for Jersey Shore, a popular but controversial “reality show” that…
Want A Solvent Retirement System?
In 2009, the Policy Council released a report highlighting issues surrounding the risks of depressing future asset growth and health care costs for the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS). In…
How (and How Not) to Cap Government Spending
A WEAK LIMIT IS WORSE THAN NO LIMIT If the last few legislative sessions prove anything, it’s that almost nothing can compel state lawmakers to exercise spending restraint. A report…
Is the ‘Incentives Game’ Worth It?
In South Carolina, 2011 turned out to be a watershed year in at least one respect. For the first time, the merits of government-driven “economic development,” and especially the use…
SC’s Tax Structure: Good, Bad, or Just Plain Awful?
In recent months, some of our state lawmakers have spoken of South Carolina’s tax structure as if it’s the lowest, most business-friendly in the world. Some, indeed, have claimed we…
Financial Coercion: Federal Control of South Carolina’s Entitlements
Part of the Obama administration’s stimulus bill established unemployment “incentive grants” to states who “modernize” (translation: expand) unemployment benefit eligibility. Any state whose law coheres with federal standards could receive…
The Clyburn Center Mess: A Multimillion Dollar Catastrophe
The James E. Clyburn University Transportation Research and Conference Center at South Carolina State University is a $107 million dollar project. The complex was intended to serve as a transportation…
Report: S.C. Higher Ed System Failing Taxpayers
Thursday, November 10, 2011 – Today the South Carolina Policy Council, in conjunction with the Washington D.C.-based American Council of Trustees and Alumni, released a study concluding that the state’s public…
The Patriots Club
The Goal We want to make South Carolina the most free state in the nation. To accomplish that goal, we’ll focus on three American principles: Self-governance. Ideas and policies that…
SC’s Health Planning Committee Recommends Against a State Exchange
In recent months, the South Carolina Health Planning Committee has seen presentations by industry experts, academics, lawyers, consultants, and insurance companies on the state’s health insurance market. Its charge? To…
Unfunny: South Carolina’s Job-Destroying Regulations
In 2004, Jon Stewart’s Daily Show featured South Carolina in a hilarious segment about the state’s absurd regulations on hair braiding. That’s right. Regulations on hair braiding. The segment featured an…
Strings Attached: How State Lawmakers Invite Federal Control
Every year, South Carolina becomes more dependent on the federal government, and every year the state loses more control over its own affairs to Washington DC. The federal government has…
The Matthew Lesko Approach to Economic Development
The federal government is trying to run the U.S. economy – and South Carolina is helping out by taking federal grants for “economic development.” Why? Because it’s free money from…
When writing the state budget: Follow the law
For decades, South Carolina lawmakers have cobbled together the state budget with little input from anyone but lobbyists and bureaucrats. Except for vetoes on the back end, the governor had…
Is Economic Development the Job of a University?
Our taxpayer-supported colleges and universities should get back to their mission of educating young people – and leave economic development to the market.
Prepared in Mind and Resources? A Report on Public Higher Education in South Carolina
ACTA's hope is that this report will be an urgent call to action to help the citizens and policymakers of South Carolina strengthen the state's public higher education system and…
President’s Letter: Independence from DC
With a $14 trillion debt and a $1.3 trillion deficit threatening to bankrupt the federal government, the nation’s attention is focused on Washington DC. But it’s vital that we understand…
Fast Facts: ‘Prepared in Mind and Resources?’
The Policy Council and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni recently took a look at the state’s higher education system. What we found was bad news for taxpayers .…
The South Carolina state budget is a mystery. What can be done about it?
In South Carolina, the law requires the governor to submit the state budget to the legislature at the beginning of each legislative session. Yet what happens in practice, as SCPC…
Myths and Facts About the State Health Exchange
Can South Carolina set up its own independent, free market version of a federal “health exchange”? Don’t be fooled.
2011 South Carolina Budget Request Update
Section 11-11-20 of the S.C. Code of laws stipulates all state agencies submit their budget requests for fiscal year 2012 – 2013 on or before November 1st. Now that the…
The South Carolina Citizens’ Guide to Following the State Budget
The South Carolina Citizens’ Guide to Following the State Budget
SCPC and The Basitat Society Co-sponsor Event With Reason Magazine
Recently the Policy Council was delighted to sponsor a book signing, round table discussion, and reception featuring Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch, longtime editors of Reason Magazine and authors of…
Health Planners Lament “Inevitable” Takeover
The South Carolina Health Care Planning Committee continues to meet, but whether it’s accomplishing anything is open to question.
Writing the State Budget – by the Law
For decades, South Carolina lawmakers have cobbled together the state budget with virtually no input from the governor. The state’s spending priorities were largely dictated by members of the General…
Is a ‘free market health exchange’ a smart policy alternative or contradiction in terms?
When Congress originally passed the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” the plan was for the federal government to set up a national “health exchange” – a single government-run “market”…
What Flexibility? Debunking the Myth of the Free-Market Health Exchange
A vast number of new federal healthcare regulations are introduced in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), most of which will be enforced through state or federally run…
What’s Obamacare got to do with car insurance?
In a recent piece on Slate.com, former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer calls a pair of South Carolina politicians “hypocritical” for, on the one hand, criticizing Obamacare's individual health insurance…
Ditching No Child Left Behind – all of it
At issue, of course, is the law Now Child Left Behind (NCLB), now in its tenth year. To understand what the news is all about, you need to understand what…
South Carolina’s “Health Planning Committee” Doesn’t Do Much Planning
What’s the Committee doing? Over the last few months (check out our video coverage), we’ve watched a roomful of policymakers and health care officials struggle to come to grips with…
Film incentives: A bad idea that won’t die
Film incentives are back in the news. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has pulled the plug on a $420,000 credit for Jersey Shore, a popular but controversial “reality show” that…