Research

  • Poll: SC voters support key tax and education reforms, oppose abortion ban

    As Gov. Henry McMaster delivers his State of the State address Wednesday evening, a new S.C. Policy Council poll reveals voters’ opinions on key state issues involving taxes, education and abortion. It also shows that South Carolinians continue to suffer the impacts of inflation, and that most SC voters believe...
  • The 2024 SC Sustainable Budget

    South Carolina is getting on the right track when it comes to fiscal responsibility. In 2022, state lawmakers and Gov. Henry McMaster enacted the first-ever state personal income tax cuts, letting residents keep more of their hard-earned money and making South Carolina more competitive for business. Last year, voters also...
  • Survey results – legislative scorecard

    Ahead of the 2023-24 legislative session, SCPC has been working on a scorecard to evaluate state legislators on our top issues such as tax relief, school choice, government transparency, and legal reform. In an effort to make this project a success, we asked for the input of our membership. A...
  • Seven steps to make S.C. government more transparent

    “Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show it can bear discussion and publicity.”- Lord Acton   THE TIME FOR TRANSPARENCY IS NOW
  • How much is your SC tax cut worth? New Policy Council website has some answers

    Earlier this year, the S.C. Legislature and Gov. Henry McMaster enacted historic tax relief and reform. This was a critical step in making South Carolina more competitive in a region where neighboring states have lower or no state income tax. The new law slashes our state personal income tax, collapsing the lower...
  • Spread the word: Two key amendments on SC ballot

    South Carolina voters will decide on two important constitutional amendments at the ballot this November that would require the state to put more money in its “rainy-day” funds, known technically as the General Reserve Fund and Capital Reserve Fund. The Policy Council supports both amendments, and we need your help to get...
  • Bridging the divide: A balanced approach to short-term rental regulation

    The annual college football game between South Carolina and Georgia kicks off in Columbia this weekend, and local short-term renters couldn’t be happier. A recent search of Airbnb listings in Columbia indicated that far more homes were booked ahead for gameday weekend than the weekend prior (when the UofSC football team was out of...
  • Poll: Expanded healthcare choices key for SC voters

    Palmetto State voters want expanded healthcare options through increased choice and competition, according to a new poll conducted on behalf of the South Carolina Policy Council. Specifically, voters are in favor of ending the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) requirement for hospitals and healthcare facilities. They also strongly support giving...
  • Poll: South Carolinians want more access, choice in public education

    Voters in South Carolina want bold action to increase access and choice in public education, according to a new poll conducted on behalf of the South Carolina Policy Council. The survey results indicate that voters are concerned about their public schools and believe in policies that expand school choice to address...
  • Poll: SC voters not sold on constitutional amendments – yet

    Two proposed constitutional amendments that would increase the state’s reserve “rainy-day” accounts to help South Carolina government manage budget shortfalls have yet to gain popular support, and more voter education is needed to ensure passage, according to a new South Carolina Policy Council voter survey. South Carolina voters will decide...