Taxes and Spending

  • 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

  • Student loan forgiveness the wrong policy for nation, South Carolina

    President Joe Biden recently announced his long-rumored student loan forgiveness plan, a policy that will further burden South Carolina taxpayers and do nothing to address the fundamental problems behind rising college tuition. Under the plan, single individuals making less than $125,000 qualify for $10,000 in federal student loan forgiveness, while...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    August 26, 2022

  • Sustainable budgeting: a new path for South Carolina

    By Bryce Fiedler and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. With its vibrant cities, relatively cheap cost of living, and thriving industries like manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality, it’s obvious why South Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. To keep its competitive edge and protect the interests of taxpayers,...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    August 03, 2022