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…