Research

Statehouse Update May 9-11

Update 5/12/23: Several adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. It may be the final week of the regular legislative session, but legislative business is far from over for the year. For starters, the House still needs to take up and pass (for...

Written by Sam Aaron
May 09, 2023

Certificate of Need repeal heads to governor’s desk

Lawmakers this week passed a historic bill that largely repeals South Carolina’s Certificate of Need program – a key policy priority on SCPC’s 2023-24 Legislative Agenda and a huge win for medical freedom. The House amended and unanimously passed the bill Tuesday. The following day, the Senate agreed to the version and gave it...

Written by Sam Aaron
May 05, 2023

Statehouse Update May 2-4

Just two weeks remain in the regular legislative session. The budget is back with the House after the Senate passed its version last month. Once it passes the House (again), lawmakers from both chambers will sit down in conference committee to decide on the final state budget. Also on the...

Written by Sam Aaron
May 02, 2023

Certificate of Need repeal passes major legislative hurdle

A proposal that would improve access to healthcare services and reduce medical costs passed a major legislative hurdle this week. The bill (S.164), advanced by the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee on Wednesday with amendments, would largely eliminate state Certificate of Need (CON) requirements for healthcare providers,...

Written by Sam Aaron
April 28, 2023

An interest rate cap would harm SC consumers, reduce options

A legislative proposal filed this year would reduce the borrowing options available to South Carolina consumers and could force lenders to leave the state. The Senate bill (S.518) would set a 36% cap on the annual percentage interest rate (APR) that can be charged for loans, which risks cutting off...

Written by Bryce Fiedler
April 28, 2023

Statehouse Update April 25-27

Update 4/28/23: Several adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. With just three weeks left in the regular legislative session, things are in high gear at the Statehouse. Important legislation like a bill to repeal state Certificate of Need (CON) mandates is in...

Written by Sam Aaron
April 25, 2023

Statehouse Update April 18-20

Update 4/21/23: Several adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. The Senate this week will debate and vote on its version of the state budget, while the House has a busy schedule after being out last week. In our latest report, we examined the...

Written by Sam Aaron
April 18, 2023

FY24 budget proposals: SC needs (and can afford) a bigger tax cut

By Bryce Fiedler and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. In January, the South Carolina Policy Council published The 2024 SC Sustainable Budget (SCSB) – an ambitious new project with the goal of keeping state government spending under control. Specifically, it urges legislators to keep annual recurring general funds appropriations from rising faster than state population growth...

Written by Bryce Fiedler
April 15, 2023

Statehouse Update April 4-6

The House is out this week, while the Senate has a packed calendar of bills in committee and on the floor. Bills dealing with legal reform, education and regulation (some good, some not-so-good) are making progress, and several are nearing the finish line. Learn more about our policy positions on...

Written by Sam Aaron
April 11, 2023

Seven steps to improve SC’s judicial system

South Carolina’s judicial selection process is unusual and rife with issues that must quickly be addressed. Not only are higher-level state judges elected by the Legislature (a method used in just two states), but candidates for these seats must also be screened and nominated by a small legislatively controlled board....

Written by Bryce Fiedler
April 11, 2023