Survey results – legislative scorecard
Ahead of the 2023-24 legislative session, SCPC has been working on a scorecard to evaluate state legislators on our top issues such as tax relief, school choice, government transparency, and…
Seven steps to make S.C. government more transparent
“Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show it can bear discussion and publicity.”- Lord Acton . The time for transparency is now…
SCPC, ATR holding statewide tour on ballot amendments
Note: This story was originally posted on The Nerve. The South Carolina Policy Council – The Nerve’s parent organization – and Americans for Tax Reform, a national taxpayer advocacy group,…
How much is your SC tax cut worth? New Policy Council website has some answers
Earlier this year, the S.C. Legislature and Gov. Henry McMaster enacted historic tax relief and reform. This was a critical step in making South Carolina more competitive in a region where…
Spread the word: Two key amendments on SC ballot
South Carolina voters will decide on two important constitutional amendments at the ballot this November that would require the state to put more money in its “rainy-day” funds, known technically…
Bridging the divide: A balanced approach to short-term rental regulation
The annual college football game between South Carolina and Georgia kicks off in Columbia this weekend, and local short-term renters couldn’t be happier. A recent search of Airbnb listings in…
Poll: Expanded healthcare choices key for SC voters
Palmetto State voters want expanded healthcare options through increased choice and competition, according to a new poll conducted on behalf of the South Carolina Policy Council. Specifically, voters are in…
Poll: South Carolinians want more access, choice in public education
Voters in South Carolina want bold action to increase access and choice in public education, according to a new poll conducted on behalf of the South Carolina Policy Council. The survey…
Poll: SC voters not sold on constitutional amendments – yet
Two proposed constitutional amendments that would increase the state’s reserve “rainy-day” accounts to help South Carolina government manage budget shortfalls have yet to gain popular support, and more voter education…
Student loan forgiveness the wrong policy for nation, South Carolina
President Joe Biden recently announced his long-rumored student loan forgiveness plan, a policy that will further burden South Carolina taxpayers and do nothing to address the fundamental problems behind rising…
Poll: South Carolina Democrats, African American voters leaving Biden
A focus on the wrong issues has left Biden’s most loyal supporters dropping him College loan forgiveness is the wrong policy for nation, South Carolina President Biden continues to lose…
Announcing the South Carolina Sustainable Budget
State government spending has been on the rise – a path that, if not corrected, threatens to undo recent progress on taxes and erode South Carolina’s competitive edge. For that…
Sustainable budgeting: a new path for South Carolina
By Bryce Fiedler and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. With its vibrant cities, relatively cheap cost of living, and thriving industries like manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality, it’s obvious why South Carolina is…
Transparency check-in: streaming at the Statehouse
To encourage more transparency in state government, SCPC has been examining how frequently legislative committee meetings are livestreamed to the public. These committees have the important job of reviewing and…
Lawmakers side with McMaster on common-sense budget vetoes
South Carolina lawmakers returned to Columbia this week to take up the governor’s vetoes on the FY22-23 state budget, which went into effect July 1. The governor’s veto list – released on…
SCPC celebrates historic tax relief and reform
Taxpayer victory! Historic tax relief passed by the state Legislature and supported by Governor McMaster will immediately help South Carolina “up its game” when it comes to job creation and business…
SCPC Voter Poll Release (May 31 – Jun 3, 2022)
. . Inflation, gas prices are top concerns for SC voters as lawmakers return to Columbia for special session Inflation and gas prices are among the most pressing concerns for…
Inflation in SC shows need for bold tax cuts
Record breaking prices are making everyday life harder for Americans, especially for some in South Carolina. Indeed, by some measurements, the Palmetto State (and the South generally) is experiencing higher…
SCPC announces Dallas Woodhouse as Executive Director
The South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of an Executive Director to lead South Carolina’s longest-serving organization dedicated to promoting and protecting…
As session wraps up, promising bills near the finish line
South Carolina’s regular legislative session ends May 12, meaning just three weeks remain (including this one) to send most bills to the governor’s desk for signing. Fortunately, there’s some great…
What is a fee? The multimillion-dollar question
When the state Supreme Court declared Greenville County’s annual road maintenance fee invalid last year, it triggered a wave of lawsuits challenging similar charges in other municipalities and counties. Instead…
Analysis: School board transparency is great, but lawmakers should lead by example
The Senate last week unanimously passed a bill pushing South Carolina’s school boards to livestream their meetings. Despite some issues in its execution, this is a much-needed policy – one that…
Perspective: Utilize mega surplus for tax relief, not government growth
When we published our analysis comparing the House and Senate tax cut bills last month, we noted that state government was expecting a $4.6 billion revenue surplus for next fiscal year,…
Two House bills would suspend the gas tax
Two recently filed House bills would temporarily suspend the state gas tax and lesser known “road tax”. The former is paid by all drivers in South Carolina, and currently accounts…
These House budget provisos need attention
The House this week passed its version of the largest state government budget in South Carolina’s history – a bill that would appropriate $38.2 billion in tax dollars, federal funds,…
Check-in: Budget transparency hits a new low
Transparency for taxpayers hit a new low this week. On Wednesday and Thursday, the S.C. Senate held a total of nine budget subcommittee hearings – the most it has held in one…
Analysis: SC’s competing tax cut proposals, what to know
After years of justified frustration from taxpayers, state lawmakers have finally decided to address South Carolina’s highest-in-the-Southeast top income tax rate. The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lower…
Analysis: Blurring the line between education and job training (updated)
Update as of 2/12/22: H.4766, which would add more seats and give more power to the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development, passed the S.C. House on Feb. 8. The bill…
Analysis: Medical cannabis is a win, despite issues in bill
In late 2020, a Senate bill (S.150) was introduced that would give South Carolinians the right to use medical cannabis to treat certain debilitating conditions, called as the “Compassionate Care…
Happening at the Statehouse (May 3 – May 5)
The regular legislative session ends Thursday, May 12, meaning less than two weeks remain for most bills to reach the governor’s desk to be signed into law. Here’s a quick update…