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, letting residents keep more of their hard-earned money and making South Carolina more competitive for business. Last year, voters also approved ballot measures requiring the …
Posted: March 10, 2023 by South Carolina Policy Council
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 negotiate commission payments on their own terms. Title insurance is a way to protect yourself from financial loss and related legal expenses in the event …
Posted: March 9, 2023 by South Carolina Policy Council
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 on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in place of traditional investment criteria, and it’s a trend that could have a major impact on South …
Posted: March 2, 2023 by South Carolina Policy Council
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 to businesses and more conducive to economic growth. The bills (S.533 and H.3933) would require juries or judges to consider nonparties in addition to defendants …
Posted: February 23, 2023 by South Carolina Policy Council
Why SC should pass both school choice proposals
Update 3/16/23: After adopting the Finance Committee’s amendment and adding several other amendments on the floor, the full Senate passed S.285 by a vote of 28-9. One new amendment sets a family income limit of 400% of the federal poverty guidelines on the bill’s “general child” category. Accordingly, some of the details in this summary …
Posted: February 7, 2023 by South Carolina Policy Council
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 needed to ensure the state’s roughly 100,000 children with disabilities are getting the education services they need. Our state needs a better system, one that …
Posted: January 25, 2023 by South Carolina Policy Council
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 abortion. It also shows that South Carolinians continue to suffer the impacts of inflation, and that most SC voters believe America is on the wrong …
Posted: January 23, 2023 by South Carolina Policy Council
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 week. The bill (S.39) is expected to include privately-funded scholarships as well as taxpayer-supported scholarships for low-income students. The Policy Council – the Palmetto State’s …
Posted: January 17, 2023 by South Carolina Policy Council
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 responsibility, we can ensure our state reaches its highest potential. During the 2023-24 S.C. legislative session, SCPC will pursue a list of key reforms to …
Posted: January 12, 2023 by South Carolina Policy Council
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, letting residents keep more of their hard-earned money and making South Carolina more competitive for business. Last year, voters also approved ballot measures requiring the …
Posted: December 1, 2022 by South Carolina Policy Council
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 As technology and internet capabilities rapidly improve, there are fewer and fewer excuses for a lack of transparency in government. Public records once confined to …