Research

  • 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...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    January 28, 2025

  • Road maintenance solutions every S.C. 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...
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    January 24, 2025

  • 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.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    January 21, 2025

  • 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...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    January 17, 2025

  • 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...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    January 06, 2025

  • Three budget solutions on our Christmas list

    This is the time of year when Governor McMaster is working on his proposed state budget to the Legislature, which starts its regular session next month. The next fiscal year begins on July 1st. The current state budget is $42.2 billion, including about $14.5 billion in state general funds.  The...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    December 18, 2024

  • Bills to watch in 2025

    Updated 12/20/24: This summary contains information from the both rounds of House prefiles and the Senate prefiles.  With the year coming to a close, a new legislative session is quickly approaching. This is the time when state lawmakers file a flurry of bills (known as "prefiles") in preparation for the...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    December 11, 2024

  • 2024 Legislative Scorecard

    Overview  South Carolina is embarking on a path toward a brighter future – and adopting key policies will be essential on this journey. The South Carolina Policy Council’s 2024 Legislative Scorecard was created to promote the organization’s principles of limited government and individual liberties, free markets, and traditional South Carolina values.  This report, which covers...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    December 05, 2024

  • How to improve transparency in state and local government

    Citizen engagement is vital to an accountable functioning government. Transparency empowers people to witness and participate in the decision-making processes. In today’s digital age, livestreaming public meetings is critical for fostering community involvement.  Livestreaming public meetings allows citizens who cannot attend in person to engage with and monitor discussions and...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    November 11, 2024

  • Key takeaways from South Carolina's 2024 statehouse elections

    With the national spotlight on the 2024 election, results from the South Carolina Statehouse have flown under the radar. Here are some key takeaways from the election and its impact on the Statehouse: Flipped Senate Seats: Senate District 17: Republican Everett Stubbs defeated incumbent Democrat Mike Fanning. Senate District 29:...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    November 06, 2024