Research

  • Tax relief, road repairs and parental bill of rights popular among SCPC readers

    As the 2025-26 legislative session approaches in South Carolina, we conducted an internal survey of our readers August 31- September 4 to gather insights on key policy issues. The survey covered areas such as taxes and spending, infrastructure, education, legal reform, and transparency.  Our readers expressed the most concern about...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    September 06, 2024

  • SCPC announces that Sam Aaron has been promoted to Research Director

    The South Carolina Policy Council is pleased to announce that Sam Aaron has be promoted to Research Director. In his new role, Sam will lead our research staff’s efforts to ensure that the SCPC is putting forth best-in-class materials to further promote our stated values. As a native South Carolinian,...
    Michael Burris

    Written by
    September 03, 2024

  • How South Carolina’s income tax cuts compare to the Southeast

    With the governor's recent approval of the FY25 state budget, South Carolina will continue its positive trajectory on personal income tax rates, accelerating the reduction adopted two years ago by lowering the top marginal rate from 6.4% to 6.2%. Initially, the House this year proposed a 0.1% point reduction in...
    Sydney Forte

    Written by
    August 15, 2024

  • Budgetary process in need of transparency and accountability

    As state agencies prepare to submit their annual budget requests, now is an opportunity to re-evaluate the budgetary process and encourage the governor and agencies to comply with state budget law. 
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    August 07, 2024

  • SCPC announces the selection of Michael Burris as new Chief Executive Officer

    MEDIA RELEASE Aug. 5, 2024 The South Carolina Policy Council Board of Directors announces the selection of Michael Burris, a Charleston native, former business executive and Navy veteran, as the new Chief Executive Officer of the longstanding research organization. “I am eager to advocate for and develop policies that make...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    August 05, 2024

  • How a bill becomes a law in South Carolina

    The legislative process can often be complex. Upon researching available online resources regarding South Carolina's legislative process, we found that the primary resource was an overly complicated PDF that is almost a decade old.  To address this, SCPC has developed a new, easily understandable graphic. This graphic is designed to help...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    July 25, 2024

  • Looking ahead: Constitutional amendment heads to November ballot

    Recently, the South Carolina Legislature ratified S.1126, which would amend Article II, Section 4  of the state's constitution concerning voting requirements. The bill received unanimous approval in the House and near-unanimous support in the Senate, with just three dissenting votes.  
    William Morton

    Written by
    July 18, 2024

  • Carolinas Academic Leadership Network welcomes Bryce Fiedler as founding director

    Carolinas Academic Leadership Network (CALN) proudly announces the appointment of Bryce Fiedler as its first Director. Fiedler, formerly a Senior Policy Analyst with the South Carolina Policy Council, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to educational excellence and parental empowerment.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    July 16, 2024

  • Budget breakdown: Where SC taxpayers’ money is going in FY25

    The dust has settled on South Carolina’s new budget following Governor McMaster's announcement of a relatively short list of vetoes in early July. The 21 vetoes, striking $2.3 million in earmark spending and nixing a handful of provisos, represent a small fraction of the overall budget and only marginally exceed...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    July 12, 2024

  • Judicial selections bill passes unanimously! (special session recap)

    On Wednesday, S.C. lawmakers met in Columbia for what is likely the last day of the 2024 legislative session, sending the new state budget, a bill enhancing the judicial selection process, and other items passed out of conference committee to the governor’s desk.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    June 29, 2024