Who we are

The South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC) is South Carolina's longest-serving free market research organization.  SCPC was founded in 1986 by Thomas Roe as an independent, nonpartisan research organization to promote the principles of limited government, free market enterprise, and individual liberty and responsibility.

For decades, SCPC has been a leader in tax reduction and reform, private property rights, education reform, government deregulation, transparency and governmental accountability, and efforts to expand individual liberty.  

Why South Carolina Needs SCPC

Our timely research provides critical insight to policymakers and the public on various statewide issues, and has been driving positive change for decades. 

However, there's more work to be done. South Carolina continues to suffer from the highest state income taxes in the Southeast, and is in danger of losing its comparative advantage as neighboring state make it cheaper to live, easier to start a business, and expand school choice.

  • The CATO Institute ranks South Carolina 28th in terms of overall personal and economic freedoms
  • South Carolina ranks 31st according to the Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index
  • The Palmetto State has a dangerously high unfunded pension liability compared to most states
  • a recent study ranked South Carolina's K-12 public schools among the worst in the nation at 46th

We work tirelessly to educate South Carolinians on these issues, identify meaningful policy solutions, and advocate for legislation that can achieve lasting reform. 

South Carolina Policy Council has a strong record of success!

  • Responsible for legislation requiring roll call voting in the state House and Senate
  • Secured important tax relief and reform through education and advocacy
  • Protected property rights by defeating a proposal to give eminent domain power to private companies
  • Fought for more transparency in state and local government leading to a more open process including love streaming of government meetings
  • Promoted successful election reforms that make it easier to vote and harder to cheat

Our goals

  • Make South Carolina the #1 state to start and run a business, raise a family, work, play and retire
  • Move South Carolina from the highest-taxed state in the Southeast to the lowest
  • Expand school choice options for all South Carolina parents and school children
  • Remove unneeded regulations that stifle innovation and job creation
  • Ensure South Carolina governmental operates in an open, honest and transparent manner
  • Create a fair legal environment for South Carolina citizens and businesses

The Nerve

The Nerve is SCPC's investigative news site focused on emerging policy and political issues facing South Carolina.  It produces hard-hitting, one-of-a-kind stories about property rights, overregulation, government waste, lack of transparency, conflicts of inters and abuse of power.

Rick Brundrett is The Nerve's award-winning news editor.  Rick helped launch The Nerve on Jan. 11, 2010, after covering South Carolina's court system for The State newspaper.  He also has worked as an investigative reported for the Greenville News and as the projects editor for The Island Packet/Beaufort Gazette newspapers.  Rick has won numerous reporting and writing awards over the years in Michigan and South Carolina, including While with The Nerve.