Research

  • Media Release: SCPC statement on H.4216

    March 11, 2026  The South Carolina Policy Council supports continued progress toward comprehensive state income tax reform. H.4216 includes our amendment from last spring that ensures $200 million, or 25% of future budget surpluses, will be allocated to tax reform. This represents the most ambitious tax reform proposal in decades—a fight SCPC has championed since its inception. The amendment passed by a margin of...
    South Carolina Policy Council Team

    Written by
    March 12, 2026

  • Statehouse Update March 10-12

    Update 3/12/26: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. Budget debate started in the House on Monday, with the process expected to last all week and possibly into next week. After finalizing a budget proposal, the House will debate tax cuts. Meanwhile, the...
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    March 09, 2026

  • Statehouse Update March 3-5

    Update 3/5/26: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred throughout the week. Last week, the Senate passed the income tax bill (H.4216) with an amended tax rate, cutting the top rate by an additional 0.18%. Click here to learn more about the proposal in a recent...
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    March 02, 2026

  • Finish the Job: Make South Carolina’s Tax Reform Sustainable

    South Carolina is closer than ever to a real, structural path to zero income taxes. The amended version of H.4216 is a meaningful improvement over earlier drafts. Based on recommendations from the South Carolina Policy Council, it now includes a provision dedicating 25 percent of the recurring income tax revenue...
    Vance Ginn Ph.D.

    Written by
    February 25, 2026

  • Statehouse Update February 24-26

    Update 2/24/26: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. The Statehouse saw some exciting floor activity last week when the Senate passed S.768, an increase to the homestead property tax exemption. If passed by the House and signed into law, this bill would add...
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    February 23, 2026

  • Student achievement missing from new school board ethics bill

    Improving K-12 education remains a top priority for the South Carolina General Assembly. 
    Ethan Brawer

    Written by
    February 23, 2026

  • South Carolina voters back tax cuts, spending limits, and transparency as GOP governor race remains wide open

    South Carolina voters are signaling strong support for tax relief, spending restraint, and government transparency as the state heads into a wide-open, unsettled Republican primary for governor in 2026, according to a new statewide poll commissioned by the South Carolina Policy Council.
    Randy Ellison

    Written by
    February 20, 2026

  • S.C. Senate moves to expand property tax homestead exemption

    As home value assessments rise, South Carolina residents 65 and older are increasingly calling for property tax relief. 
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    February 19, 2026

  • S.C. House advances small business tax proposal

    South Carolina lawmakers are continuing to look for ways to make the state a more supportive place for small businesses, including proposals that would lower taxes and reduce paperwork.  
    Cameron Rumpp

    Written by
    February 18, 2026

  • Statehouse Update February 17-19

    Update 2/19/26: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. The House passed a comprehensive overhaul of the judicial selection process last week empowering the Governor to control judicial nominations while the General Assembly would still confirm judges, more closely mirroring the federal model....
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    February 17, 2026