Research

S.C. Senate waters down data center reform

Correction: A previous version of this report incorrectly stated that sales tax revenue lost due to data center exemptions totaled $828 million, as referenced on the Senate floor. We have since been made aware that the correct total is $828,288. The report has been updated accordingly. Update 4/28/26: S.867 Data...

Written by Neil Wolin
April 27, 2026

Under the Responsible Budget, But Not Done

The good news first: South Carolina’s recurring General Funds budget is under the South Carolina Responsible Budget benchmark this year. Using the latest figures, a $13.25 billion FY26 base increased by 1.79 percent population growth plus 2.62 percent inflation allows for a FY27 budget of about $13.83 billion. The proposed...

Written by Vance Ginn, Ph.D.
April 24, 2026

Reforms for Results: Solutions for S.C.’s Transportation Challenges

Update 4/29/26: S.831, a bill previously resembling H.5071, has passed the House in which many of SCPC's recommendations were adopted. Click here for the updated bill report. Executive Summary South Carolina has consistently increased spending on road repairs and new construction over the past several decades. Yet despite the 2017...

Written by Sam Aaron and Brendan Connors
April 21, 2026

Statehouse Update April 21-23

Update 4/23/26: Adjustments have been made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred throughout the week. The fates of many legislative priorities are revealing themselves during these last three weeks of the 2025-26 regular session. Budget debate hits the Senate floor this week while the House looks to consider...

Written by Brendan Connors
April 20, 2026

Statehouse Update April 14-16

Update 4/16/26: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred throughout the week. Last week was a little slower at the statehouse with the House off and the Senate holding a few committee hearings. Lawmakers in both chambers are back in the swing of things with a...

Written by Brendan Connors
April 13, 2026

S.C. Senate procrastinates grading floor ban

Update: 5/6/26: The House concurred with H.5073 Senate Amendments and sent the bill to the governor's desk for signage. Update 4/29/26: H.5073 has passed second reading on the Senate floor. South Carolina lawmakers are considering legislation that would prohibit school districts from requiring teachers to assign grades higher than a...

Written by Cameron Rumpp
April 08, 2026

South Carolina needs to spend more (on tax relief)

As the great Benjamin Franklin once said, “in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” In South Carolina, there might as well be another – government spending. Over the past decade, one pattern has held constant: the General Fund grows nearly every year, typically outpacing both inflation and population growth.

Written by Sam Aaron
April 01, 2026

Governor signs South Carolina boat tax cut into law

The state of South Carolina has a disproportionately high tax rate on boats compared to other property such as homes and cars. However, S.C. boat owners may finally be seeing meaningful tax relief as H.3858 has been signed into law by Governor McMaster.

Written by Ethan Brawer
March 31, 2026

Statehouse Update March 31 - April 2

Update 4/1/26: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred throughout the week. The General Assembly passed a massive boat tax cut last week that will cut the effective property tax rate on boats from 10.5% to 6% by 2029. On Monday, Governor McMaster signed this bill...

Written by Brendan Connors
March 30, 2026

Where SC’s Attorney General candidates stand on judicial reform

A recent poll from the South Carolina Policy Council found that 58% of voters support reforming the Judicial Merit Selection Commission (JMSC). Currently, Legislators exert significant influence over the selection process due to their outsized control of the JMSC. A bill making its way through the legislature would give the...

Written by Brendan Connors
March 30, 2026