Taxes and Spending

  • The need for spending relief: the 2025 SC Sustainable Budget

    By Bryce Fiedler and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. Thanks to a robust state economy, plentiful business opportunities, and a relatively low cost of living, South Carolina remains one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. To maintain this strong position and promote further growth, it is crucial for S.C. legislators to...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    January 11, 2024

  • Important state budgetary law ignored once again

    More than one hundred planning documents for next year’s state budget are missing important data required by South Carolina law.
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    December 09, 2023

  • South Carolina needs more freedom, study shows

    Update 7/3/24: WalletHub's 2024 edition of "Most & Least Independent States" shows South Carolina making progress in two key areas compared to last year. The state's government independence ranking improved from 43rd in 2023 to 39th in 2024, moving ahead of four states. Additionally, South Carolina made a significant leap...
    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