Workforce and Regulation

Edisto Island Shuttle shows how red tape hurts small-town transportation

When large rideshare companies don’t serve rural South Carolina, small operators step up, but government rules make it an uphill climb. There are several rural communities across South Carolina where major rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have declined to operate. This is due to a mix of factors, chiefly limited...

Sam Aaron

Written by
November 07, 2025

  • Edisto Island Shuttle shows how red tape hurts small-town transportation

    When large rideshare companies don’t serve rural South Carolina, small operators step up, but government rules make it an uphill climb. There are several rural communities across South Carolina where major rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have declined to operate. This is due to a mix of factors, chiefly limited...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    November 07, 2025

  • Data centers in South Carolina: The responsible path forward

    Over the past several years, the United States has entered a new technological era marked by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). AI systems store and process massive amounts of data on servers housed in large facilities known as data centers.   States across the country have adopted policies that...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    October 11, 2025

  • DOGE in SC: More bureaucratic bloat will not fix government waste

    The federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is new and trendy, but the desire for efficient and effective limited governance is rooted in America’s founding principles that the South Carolina Policy Council works to uphold.  
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    July 24, 2025

  • Energy ‘reform’ bills potential shock to ratepayers’ wallets

    Update 5/7/2025: On Wednesday the Senate concurred with the House's 5/1/2025 amendment, striking notification requirements related to eminent domain and all regulatory and incentives language related to data centers. Data centers will no longer be required to enter into their own rate process and contracts and will continue to receive...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    April 01, 2025

  • Don't ignore these red flags in South Carolina's energy mega-bill

    Update 4/4/24: The bill passed the House and is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.    RATEPAYERS COULD BE CHARGED FOR ABANDONED UTILITY PROJECTS A massive utility bill (H.5118) awaiting debate on the floor of the S.C. House threatens to blur the line between economic development and energy policy. To...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    March 26, 2024

  • Energy mega-bill reduces checks and balances, pushes new ecodevo projects

    Update 3/20/24: The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee on Wednesday advanced the bill with amendments. Certain details in this summary may not be reflective of the amended bill. Read our updated summary here.  A massive energy bill (H.5118) gaining steam in the House bears resemblance to past legislation that wound up...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    March 19, 2024

  • Alcohol delivery bill watered down by regulations, licensing requirements

    A bill (H.4364) recently passed by the S.C. House would allow retailers to offer curbside pickup or at-home delivery of beer and wine, subject to licensing requirements, fees and other regulations.
    William Morton

    Written by
    February 23, 2024

  • Analysis: SC lending bill would reduce consumer options, harm competition

    A proposal filed this year would reduce the financial options available to S.C. consumers and could force lenders to exit the state. The Senate bill (S.910) aims to heavily restrict lenders’ ability to market their products, among other measures, potentially making South Carolina untenable for business and cutting off borrowers’...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    February 02, 2024

  • An interest rate cap would harm SC consumers, reduce options

    A legislative proposal filed this year would reduce the borrowing options available to South Carolina consumers and could force lenders to leave the state. The Senate bill (S.518) would set a 36% cap on the annual percentage interest rate (APR) that can be charged for loans, which risks cutting off...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    April 28, 2023

  • McMaster signs bipartisan bill to expedite road work

    On Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law a unanimously passed bill (S.361) that will speed up road improvement projects in South Carolina. The bill simplifies how construction contracts that are awarded by S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) can be extended to include more work.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    April 05, 2023