Certificate of Need repeal heads to governor’s desk
By Sam Aaron Lawmakers this week passed a historic bill that largely repeals South Carolina’s Certificate of Need program – a key policy priority on SCPC’s 2023-24 Legislative Agenda and a huge…
An interest rate cap would harm SC consumers, reduce options
A legislative proposal filed this year would reduce the borrowing options available to South Carolina consumers and could force lenders to leave the state. The Senate bill (S.518) would set…
FY24 budget proposals: SC needs (and can afford) a bigger tax cut
By Bryce Fiedler and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. In January, the South Carolina Policy Council published The 2024 SC Sustainable Budget (SCSB) – an ambitious new project with the goal of…
Six steps to improve SC’s judicial system
South Carolina’s judicial selection process is unusual and rife with issues that must quickly be addressed. Not only are higher-level state judges elected by the Legislature (a method used in…
South Carolina should remove its cap on title insurance commission
South Carolina unnecessarily regulates the relationship between title insurance agencies and their underwriters. A recently filed state House bill would embrace the free-market system and allow the two parties to…
Issue update: How South Carolina can tackle ESG
The ESG movement threatens to impact taxpayers across the nation. How should SC respond? What is ESG? Across the country, powerful financial institutions are making investments and offering services based…
Two bills would reduce unfairness in SC’s civil liability system
A pair of House and Senate bills filed in February would move South Carolina’s civil liability laws in the right direction and a foster a legal environment that is fairer…
Why SC should pass both school choice proposals
Update 4/28/23: The House Thursday passed S.39 by a vote of 74-36. It now goes to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk, who is expected to sign the bill into law. Update…
SC’s special-needs scholarship program needs reform
TWO LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS HAVE BIG POTENTIAL By Sam Aaron and Bryce Fiedler Despite good intentions, South Carolina’s special-needs scholarship program is failing to meet its goals, and major change is…
Poll: SC voters support key tax and education reforms, oppose abortion ban
As Gov. Henry McMaster delivers his State of the State address Wednesday evening, a new S.C. Policy Council poll reveals voters’ opinions on key state issues involving taxes, education and…
Poll: SC voters support school choice legislation, Policy Council urges passage
A new S.C. Policy Council poll of likely South Carolina voters shows broad and bi-partisan support for school choice legislation expected to be voted on by the S.C. Senate this…
The 2023-24 South Carolina Policy Council Free Market Legislative Agenda
The S.C. Policy Council believes that South Carolina has a bright and prosperous future. By embracing policies that limit government, allow for free enterprise, and stand for individual liberty and…
The 2024 SC Sustainable Budget
South Carolina is getting on the right track when it comes to fiscal responsibility. In 2022, state lawmakers and Gov. Henry McMaster enacted the first-ever state personal income tax cuts,…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…