Latest Updates

  • 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...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    February 23, 2023

  • 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...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    February 23, 2023

  • 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...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    February 07, 2023

  • As Biden addresses the nation, what is the state of South Carolina?

    As President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union Address to Congress this evening, South Carolinians continue to suffer the impacts of record-high inflation, and most SC voters believe America is on the wrong track.  According to our January voter poll, just 38% of likely SC voters said America is...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    February 07, 2023

  • 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...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    January 25, 2023

  • Poll: South Carolina no longer sold on Trump; Biden lukewarm with Democrats

    Just days ahead of Donald Trump’s first public 2024 presidential campaign event in the critical early primary state of South Carolina, a new poll from the South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC) shows Palmetto State voters are no longer sold on the former president. And in a head-to-head matchup with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis,...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    January 25, 2023

  • 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...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    January 25, 2023

  • 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...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    January 12, 2023

  • Survey results – legislative scorecard

    Ahead of the 2023-24 legislative session, SCPC has been working on a scorecard to evaluate state legislators on our top issues such as tax relief, school choice, government transparency, and legal reform. In an effort to make this project a success, we asked for the input of our membership. A...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    December 15, 2022

  • 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
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    December 01, 2022