The South Carolina Policy Council

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 one of the fastest growing states in the nation. To keep its competitive edge and protect the interests of taxpayers, it is imperative that state …

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 approving bills before they reach the House and Senate floor, and committee members will often propose changes in the process. We contend that streaming during …

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 June 22 and containing 44 substantive deletions – mostly cracked down on spending for legislative programs and projects that lacked sufficient details, known as earmarks, …

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 South Carolina voters. Voters also feel positive towards legislative reform efforts focused on taxes, education, elections and transparency. 82% of likely S.C. 2022 general election …

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 inflation than the rest of the country. The big picture In the South, overall prices have jumped by 8.8% in the last year (Apr 2021 …