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 …
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 …
“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 …
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 on some major pieces of legislation (good and bad) in circulation at the Statehouse. H.3948 – Raising local sales taxes This bill would give counties that already passed a …
. South Carolina has some of the most powerful politicians in the country. They exercise unwarranted powers over state government and the economy, and face very little accountability for their decisions – creating a breeding ground for corruption. How can South carolinians take their power back? (1) RESTORE JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE The public deserves confidence that …
There is little question that South Carolina lawmakers exert tremendous power over state government, and consequently, the life everyday citizens. This topic is something the Policy Council has researched extensively over the years, and is perhaps best illustrated by our report titled “Who Runs South Carolina State Government?“ published in 2017. Our latest project returns to the …
SOUTH CAROLINA’S ONLY COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF EVERY YEAR’S LEGISLATIVE SESSION Our guide to the 2017 legislative session – The Best and Worst of the General Assembly – has just been published. It’s the only publication of its kind in the state. We examine every major bill, explain what it would do in plain English, and assess it according to …
Once a quarter, we update our supporters with news about projects, events, media attention, and – most important – our impact on policymaking in the Statehouse.
POLITICIANS YOU DIDN’T VOTE FOR. THAT’S WHO. From education to road funding, from the judicial system to your electric bill, the important decisions are made by state lawmakers who represent only their districts. Most South Carolinians don’t vote for them – or even know their names. So when your power bill goes up again, or …
STRUCTURE, FUNDING, REFORM Many of South Carolina’s roads and bridges are in a deplorable state of disrepair. No one who’s spent much time driving across the state will dispute that. Yet the solution put forward by many State House politicians and some organizations – raise the gas tax and send new revenue to road repair …