Taxes and Spending

We need a codified earmarks process to protect S.C. taxpayers

By now, the budgetary dust has settled across the state, as the S.C. Legislature passed a general appropriations act and a supplemental appropriations act for this fiscal year allocating an additional $351 million to lawmakers’ pet projects, also known as earmarks.  An earmark typically is a budget request made by...

Sam Aaron

Written by
September 03, 2026

  • We need a codified earmarks process to protect S.C. taxpayers

    By now, the budgetary dust has settled across the state, as the S.C. Legislature passed a general appropriations act and a supplemental appropriations act for this fiscal year allocating an additional $351 million to lawmakers’ pet projects, also known as earmarks.  An earmark typically is a budget request made by...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    September 03, 2026

  • These provisos deserve attention

    A previous version of this article had 1A.55 under the wrong section. Since the Senate amendment was not adopted, the House removing that amendment now places it in the "bad proviso actions" section. One often overlooked part of the state budget is the long list of “provisos”, which are supposed to be...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    August 27, 2026

  • FY27 Budget breakdown: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

    Tuesday, Aug. 11, the House and Senate are expected to reconvene to vote on the FY27 state budget.  Last week, we examined the constitutional and procedural concerns surrounding this year's budget process.   This week, we examine what is actually in the budget, highlighting both its strengths and its shortcomings, with some additional concerns about the process specifically...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    August 07, 2026

  • Budget heads to final vote amid unanswered questions

    Last week, the S.C. Legislature’s budget conference committee approved a final version of the state budget for the fiscal year that started July 1, clearing the way for an up-or-down vote in both chambers on Aug. 11.  The conference report includes approximately $308 million in income tax relief, $81 million in property...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    July 31, 2026

  • Does Tuition mitigation work?

    Since fiscal year (FY) 2019-20, the General Assembly has provided annual funding in the state budget to freeze in-state tuition prices at public universities, a measure called tuition mitigation.  
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    July 16, 2026

  • Sometimes losing is winning: South Carolina's budget stalemate could save taxpayers millions

    Update 7/16/2026: The conference committee met twice last week, on July 14 and July 15. Little progress was made during either meeting, as negotiations remain at an impasse. The committee will meet again Tuesday, July 21, at 1 p.m. SCPC's recommendations below still represent the best path forward for taxpayers....
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    July 10, 2026

  • Conference committee has the potential to save taxpayers $137 million

    We now have finalized budget drafts from both the House and Senate. The two chambers will next appoint members to a conference committee to reconcile the differences between their proposals.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    May 11, 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...
    Vance Ginn Ph.D.

    Written by
    April 24, 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. 
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    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.
    Ethan Brawer

    Written by
    March 31, 2026