Taxes and Spending

South Carolina needs more freedom, study shows

Another study has found that South Carolina relies heavily on government aid compared to other states, ranking 43rd in terms of government independence, according to WalletHub’s June report. When looking at overall dependency (financial, government, job-market, international and personal vice dependency), South Carolina ranks sixth worst in the nation.  ...

Bryce Fiedler

Written by
June 30, 2023

  • South Carolina needs more freedom, study shows

    Another study has found that South Carolina relies heavily on government aid compared to other states, ranking 43rd in terms of government independence, according to WalletHub’s June report. When looking at overall dependency (financial, government, job-market, international and personal vice dependency), South Carolina ranks sixth worst in the nation.  ...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    June 30, 2023

  • Fast facts: Why SC needs speedy tax relief

    With the passage of South Carolina’s FY23-24 budget – which grows state government considerably and totals $41 billion in combined funds and $13.7 billion in state funds – it's time for a serious discussion on spending, tax reform, and keeping our state on the right track. 
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    June 23, 2023

  • Here's what’s in SC’s next budget (and how it can be better)

    Update 6.23.23: The conference committee's budget document on the Statehouse website appears underrepresent the total "other funds" budget figure. Using figures from the state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, the overall budget is approximately $41 billion.  After weeks of negotiations among House and Senate leaders, the General Assembly on Wednesday passed a...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    June 17, 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...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    April 15, 2023

  • Issue update: How South Carolina can tackle ESG

    The ESG movement threatens to impact taxpayers across the nation. How should SC respond?
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    March 09, 2023

  • Full expensing: an easy tax win for South Carolina

    Full expensing is a tax policy that will put South Carolina at the front of the line for new capital investments as American businesses reshore their supply chains. Full expensing creates better economic growth, higher wages, and a better standard of living for South Carolinians. Pro-growth tax treatment of new investments will bolster...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    March 03, 2023

  • As Biden addresses the nation, what is the state of South Carolina?

    As President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union Address to Congress this evening, South Carolinians continue to suffer the impacts of record-high inflation, and most SC voters believe America is on the wrong track.  According to our January voter poll, just 38% of likely SC voters said America is...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    February 07, 2023

  • The 2024 SC Sustainable Budget

    South Carolina is getting on the right track when it comes to fiscal responsibility. In 2022, state lawmakers and Gov. Henry McMaster enacted the first-ever state personal income tax cuts, letting residents keep more of their hard-earned money and making South Carolina more competitive for business. Last year, voters also...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    January 12, 2023

  • How much is your SC tax cut worth? New Policy Council website has some answers

    Earlier this year, the S.C. Legislature and Gov. Henry McMaster enacted historic tax relief and reform. This was a critical step in making South Carolina more competitive in a region where neighboring states have lower or no state income tax. The new law slashes our state personal income tax, collapsing the lower...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    October 10, 2022

  • Spread the word: Two key amendments on SC ballot

    South Carolina voters will decide on two important constitutional amendments at the ballot this November that would require the state to put more money in its “rainy-day” funds, known technically as the General Reserve Fund and Capital Reserve Fund. The Policy Council supports both amendments, and we need your help to get...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    October 03, 2022