Taxes and Spending

  • 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

  • Inflation in SC shows need for bold tax cuts

    Record breaking prices are making everyday life harder for Americans, especially for some in South Carolina. Indeed, by some measurements, the Palmetto State (and the South generally) is experiencing higher inflation than the rest of the country.   THE BIG PICTURE  In the South, overall prices have jumped by 8.8% in the last year (Apr...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    May 20, 2022

  • Perspective: Utilize mega surplus for tax relief, not government growth

    When we published our analysis comparing the House and Senate tax cut bills last month, we noted that state government was expecting a $4.6 billion revenue surplus for next fiscal year, and questioned why House lawmakers opted for a relatively small cut that would take years to fully phase in given the extra money...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    March 30, 2022

  • These House budget provisos need attention

    The House this week passed its version of the largest state government budget in South Carolina’s history – a bill that would appropriate $38.2 billion in tax dollars, federal funds, and other fines and fees. Included in the bloated budget are hundreds of temporary laws called “provisos”, which are meant...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    March 19, 2022

  • Analysis: SC’s competing tax cut proposals, what to know

    After years of justified frustration from taxpayers, state lawmakers have finally decided to address South Carolina’s highest-in-the-Southeast top income tax rate. The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lower and consolidate the state income tax, while the Senate recently introduced its own income tax proposal that includes a plan to use $1 billion in...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    February 24, 2022