Research

Statehouse Update February 11-13

Update 2/12/25: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. With heightened committee activity on liability legislation, there is now a nation-wide focus on our state joint & several legal environment. The House Big Energy Bill is on the floor for debate, and a change...

  • Statehouse Update February 11-13

    Update 2/12/25: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. With heightened committee activity on liability legislation, there is now a nation-wide focus on our state joint & several legal environment. The House Big Energy Bill is on the floor for debate, and a change...
  • The South Carolina Policy Council’s 2025 Session Kickoff Poll

    South Carolina occupies a unique position in American politics. The Palmetto State for years has remained a Republican stronghold, leading many national polling firms to focus on the state’s GOP presidential primary seasons. Consequently, however, critical insights into the policy priorities of South Carolinians are often overlooked.  That changes now....
  • Statehouse Update February 4-6

    Update 2/5/25: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. It’s a busy week at the South Carolina Statehouse, with major legislative debates on the horizon. The Senate is set for a third reading of the school choice bill on Tuesday, moving it one step...
  • School Choice: Second Time’s the Charm?

    On Thursday, by a vote of 32 to 12 the South Carolina Senate granted a second reading to a new school choice proposal aimed at addressing the needs of students underserved by the public school system. S.62 would utilize state lottery funds to create a K-12 scholarship program, addressing the constitutional concerns raised...
  • McMaster proposes SCPC legislative initiatives

    On Wednesday, in a joint session of the House and Senate S.C. Governor Henry McMaster delivered his 2025 State of the State address. The South Carolina Governor notably showed strong support for reforms supported by the SCPC, specifically eliminating income tax, school choice, and civil liability reform.
  • Statehouse Update January 28-30

    Update 1/30/25: Several adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. Budget hearings are in full force for this week's SC legislative session. Liability reform is making its way through committee, and the full Senate is poised to resume floor debate on the Education Scholarship...
  • Road maintenance solutions every SC resident deserves

    Many South Carolina local government websites lack essential information about road maintenance requests, leaving citizens unsure of how to get their local roads repaired. A quick look at the practices and procedures of the complex network of public roadway maintenance uncovered accessibility challenges at the county and local levels that...
  • Statehouse Update January 21-23

    Week two at the Statehouse begins today. While the full House will not convene on the floor this week, there is no shortage of activity. Numerous committee meetings, including several focused on budgetary matters, are scheduled to take place throughout the week and warrant close attention.
  • Governor’s FY 2026 executive budget: The Good and The Bad

    On Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster released his proposed state budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which starts July 1. The S.C. Legislature, which started its regular session on Tuesday, will consider it while working on their own budget versions.  How does McMaster’s 173-page executive budget compare to past ones?  The...
  • The 2026 South Carolina Responsible Budget: A Blueprint for Fiscal Discipline and Economic Growth

    By Vance Ginn, PhD., and Sam Aaron South Carolina has enjoyed significant economic success. With strong labor market growth and a favorable climate for business investment, the state continues to be one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. However, without a responsible approach to budgeting, this progress risks being...