Research
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Student loan forgiveness the wrong policy for nation, South Carolina
President Joe Biden recently announced his long-rumored student loan forgiveness plan, a policy that will further burden South Carolina taxpayers and do nothing to address the fundamental problems behind rising college tuition. Under the plan, single individuals making less than $125,000 qualify for $10,000 in federal student loan forgiveness, while... -
Poll: South Carolina Democrats, African American voters leaving Biden
A focus on the wrong issues has left Biden’s most loyal supporters dropping himCollege loan forgiveness is the wrong policy for nation, South Carolina President Biden continues to lose support in South Carolina as only 34% of state voters say they approve of his job performance. That’s according to a... -
Sustainable budgeting: a new path for South Carolina
By Bryce Fiedler and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. With its vibrant cities, relatively cheap cost of living, and thriving industries like manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality, it’s obvious why South Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. To keep its competitive edge and protect the interests of taxpayers,... -
Transparency check-in: streaming at the Statehouse (2022)
To encourage more transparency in state government, SCPC has been examining how frequently legislative committee meetings are livestreamed to the public. These committees have the important job of reviewing and approving bills before they reach the House and Senate floor, and committee members will often propose changes in the process.... -
SCPC Voter Poll Release (May 31 – Jun 3, 2022)
Inflation, gas prices are top concerns for SC voters as lawmakers return to Columbia for special session Inflation and gas prices are among the most pressing concerns for South Carolina voters. Voters also feel positive towards legislative reform efforts focused on taxes, education, elections and transparency. -
Inflation in SC shows need for bold tax cuts
Record breaking prices are making everyday life harder for Americans, especially for some in South Carolina. Indeed, by some measurements, the Palmetto State (and the South generally) is experiencing higher inflation than the rest of the country. THE BIG PICTURE In the South, overall prices have jumped by 8.8% in the last year (Apr... -
As session wraps up, promising bills near the finish line
South Carolina’s regular legislative session ends May 12, meaning just three weeks remain (including this one) to send most bills to the governor’s desk for signing. Fortunately, there’s some great legislation near the finish line. Below is an overview of these proposals, several of which SCPC has supported or sought... -
Analysis: School board transparency is great, but lawmakers should lead by example
The Senate last week unanimously passed a bill pushing South Carolina’s school boards to livestream their meetings. Despite some issues in its execution, this is a much-needed policy – one that is central to the Policy Council’s goal of empowering citizens through transparency in government. At the same time, however, the... -
Perspective: Utilize mega surplus for tax relief, not government growth
When we published our analysis comparing the House and Senate tax cut bills last month, we noted that state government was expecting a $4.6 billion revenue surplus for next fiscal year, and questioned why House lawmakers opted for a relatively small cut that would take years to fully phase in given the extra money... -
These House budget provisos need attention
The House this week passed its version of the largest state government budget in South Carolina’s history – a bill that would appropriate $38.2 billion in tax dollars, federal funds, and other fines and fees. Included in the bloated budget are hundreds of temporary laws called “provisos”, which are meant...