Research

  • Sometimes losing is winning: South Carolina's budget stalemate could save taxpayers millions

    As the saying goes in the 1992 classic White Men Can't Jump, "Sometimes when you win, you really lose. And sometimes when you lose, you really win."  That may be the best way to describe South Carolina's ongoing budget debate.  South Carolina's fiscal year began on July 1 without a budget...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    July 10, 2026

  • 250 Years of Liberty

    On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain. Two days later, on July 4, delegates approved the final text of the Declaration of Independence, enshrining a set of principles that would reshape not only a nation, but the course of history. 
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    July 02, 2026

  • Revisiting SCPC’s interviews with South Carolina’s new Republican nominees

    The Tuesday, June 23, 2026 runoffs are in the books.  With the dust settling, the Republican side of the ticket for statewide offices is now set. In the gubernatorial runoff, Attorney General Alan Wilson defeated Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette by a margin of 68.56% to 31.44%. 
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    June 25, 2026

  • Transparency check-in: streaming at the Statehouse (2026)

    The best way to build citizens’ trust in government is through greater transparency, and few modern innovations embody transparency more effectively than livestreaming.  For the fifth consecutive year, the SC Policy Council has tracked the livestreaming frequency of legislative committee meetings. Since then, several committees have improved their transparency efforts. 
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    June 11, 2026

  • 2026 Session Recap: Major progress on SCPC backed reforms

    The regular 2026 legislative session came to a close on May 14th and conference committees for outstanding pieces of legislation including the state budget still need to get over the finish line.   Massive reform packages for the state income tax and the Department of Transportation have been signed by the governor, with many crucial priorities making their...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    June 04, 2026

  • SCPC Primary Poll: May 2026

    Note: The margin of error for questions asked to the combined sample of both parties is +/-3.16%, while the margin of error for Republican and Democratic voters independently is +/-4.47%. Election day will be here before you know it, and primaries across the state are heating up. SCPC wanted to...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    May 26, 2026

  • Regulatory review bill awaits conference committee

    Last year, the House unanimously passed the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, or H.3021, with the goal of reducing the burden of overregulation in South Carolina. As the bill stands now, this still is the intent, but some state agencies and business sectors are concerned about unintended consequences. 
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    May 22, 2026

  • Conference committee has the potential to save taxpayers $137 million

    We now have finalized budget drafts from both the House and Senate. The two chambers will next appoint members to a conference committee to reconcile the differences between their proposals.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    May 11, 2026

  • Statehouse Update May 12-14

    Update 5/14/26: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred throughout the week. With one week of the legislative session left, both chambers are making a final push to pass last-minute legislation on taxes, education, and legal reform. The state budget and a bill overhauling the Department...
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    May 11, 2026

  • State regulatory system faces overhaul?

    Update 5/6/26: H.3021 has passed second reading on the Senate floor. Upon third reading the House will consider the Senate amendments. Update 5/7/26: H.4337, which grants subpoena power to the Legislative Audit Council, has passed second reading on the Senate floor. Upon third reading the House will consider the Senate...
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    May 06, 2026