Research

  • We need a codified earmarks process to protect S.C. taxpayers

    By now, the budgetary dust has settled across the state, as the S.C. Legislature passed a general appropriations act and a supplemental appropriations act for this fiscal year allocating an additional $351 million to lawmakers’ pet projects, also known as earmarks.  An earmark typically is a budget request made by...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    September 03, 2026

  • These provisos deserve attention

    A previous version of this article had 1A.55 under the wrong section. Since the Senate amendment was not adopted, the House removing that amendment now places it in the "bad proviso actions" section. One often overlooked part of the state budget is the long list of “provisos”, which are supposed to be...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    August 27, 2026

  • SCPC announces new CEO

    The Policy Council is pleased to announce that Robert Cathcart has been selected to serve as our new President & CEO. Robert is excited to begin on September 8, taking over for Michael Burris who has served as our President & CEO since 2024.
    South Carolina Policy Council Team

    Written by
    August 24, 2026

  • Governor McMaster’s FY27 budget vetoes

    On August 17, 2026, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster released his list of line-item vetoes in the budget approved by the General Assembly the previous week.  Seven of the first nine vetoes are effectively cleanup vetoes. Several of these vetoes eliminate provisos that had already been passed into permanent law,...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    August 19, 2026

  • FY27 Budget breakdown: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

    Tuesday, Aug. 11, the House and Senate are expected to reconvene to vote on the FY27 state budget.  Last week, we examined the constitutional and procedural concerns surrounding this year's budget process.   This week, we examine what is actually in the budget, highlighting both its strengths and its shortcomings, with some additional concerns about the process specifically...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    August 07, 2026

  • Budget heads to final vote amid unanswered questions

    Last week, the S.C. Legislature’s budget conference committee approved a final version of the state budget for the fiscal year that started July 1, clearing the way for an up-or-down vote in both chambers on Aug. 11.  The conference report includes approximately $308 million in income tax relief, $81 million in property...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    July 31, 2026

  • Does Tuition mitigation work?

    Since fiscal year (FY) 2019-20, the General Assembly has provided annual funding in the state budget to freeze in-state tuition prices at public universities, a measure called tuition mitigation.  
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    July 16, 2026

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

    Update 7/16/2026: The conference committee met twice last week, on July 14 and July 15. Little progress was made during either meeting, as negotiations remain at an impasse. The committee will meet again Tuesday, July 21, at 1 p.m. SCPC's recommendations below still represent the best path forward for taxpayers....
    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