Research

  • No pork in this year's budget?

    The State Senate has proposed their $14.4 billion general funds budget from the Senate finance committee without earmarks, setting the stage for the House to consider omitting earmarks in their second budget draft.
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    April 18, 2025

  • Legislative victory: Senate and House reach agreement on school choice bill

    Update: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. 5/1/2025: On Thursday, the House concurred with the Senate’s amendments and sent the bill to the governor’s desk. On Wednesday, the Senate announced that after continued negotiations between the House and Senate Education committees, they...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    April 17, 2025

  • Statehouse Update April 15-17

    Update 4/16/25: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. The legislative schedule at the Statehouse is relatively light this week. The House is on furlough, and the full Senate is scheduled to meet just one day, likely to take up the budget. SCPC will provide...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    April 14, 2025

  • Statehouse Update April 8-10

    Update 4/09/25: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. This week at the Statehouse is relatively quiet in terms of full legislative activity. The House will convene on Tuesday. On the other hand, the full Senate is out this week, with the Senate finance...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    April 07, 2025

  • Energy ‘reform’ bills potential shock to ratepayers’ wallets

    Update 5/7/2025: On Wednesday the Senate concurred with the House's 5/1/2025 amendment, striking notification requirements related to eminent domain and all regulatory and incentives language related to data centers. Data centers will no longer be required to enter into their own rate process and contracts and will continue to receive...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    April 01, 2025

  • Statehouse Update March 25-27

    Update 3/27/25: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. Lawmakers are moving quickly as the budget process is in full swing at the Statehouse. SCPC has long supported a substantial reduction in income taxes, and today, House and Senate leadership are expected to join the...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    March 25, 2025

  • The disconnect between graduation rates and college readiness in South Carolina

    Increasing concerns about grade inflation have emerged in education, particularly regarding its impact on students’ preparedness for higher education and the workforce. While rising graduation rates may indicate academic success, they do not necessarily reflect an increase in college readiness. 
    Charles Ann MacDonald

    Written by
    March 21, 2025

  • Statehouse Update March 18-20

    Update 3/19/25: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. Although much of this week is composed of Senate budget hearings, Senators may have a deal ready for joint and several liability reform. The Senate is also scheduled to hear the House's energy bill, along with...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    March 18, 2025

  • Budget breakdown: The S.C. House's 2026 budget

    The South Carolina House has passed the FY 2026 budget with plenty of fireworks during debate. The proposed spending plan – which would be the largest in state history, taking effect on July 1 – puts billions of dollars on the line. With agencies seeking budget increases and new spending requests piling up, where are your taxpayer dollars going?  
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    March 14, 2025

  • Statehouse Update March 10-13

    Update 3/13/25: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. The House kicked off the budget debate Monday, a process expected to stretch well into next week. Meanwhile, the Senate left tort reform discussions in limbo. Last Thursday, before adjourning, an amendment was introduced that...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    March 10, 2025