Palmetto Promise Institute Internship Program

Our program is designed to provide young individuals with the opportunity to learn about state policy development and to gain hands-on experience working on policy research, legislative analysis, and communications.

2023-2024 Palmetto Freedom Agenda

Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) Signed Into Law

Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, five thousand scholarships will be awarded to children from low and moderate income families (<$60,000 for a family of 4). Scholarships may be used not just for private school tuition but for a host of education providers. It is the ultimate customizable education. There are other restrictions. Children must have previously attended public school or be entering kindergarten. The portal for applying for these scholarships will open in March 2024. Schools are holding Open House events now. Get the ESA details here!

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April 1, 2026

Time for a Telehealth Update

New data indicate that telemedicine has the potential to be a “great equalizer” for maternal health. As we have written previously, the 2024 Telehealth and Telemedicine Modernization Act made strides in making telemedicine accessible to more South Carolinians. But while this legislation made progress, it did not go far enough to decrease the barriers we

March 30, 2026

Palmetto Promise Submits Written Testimony on Teacher Mobility Compact Bill

Earlier today, I submitted the below written testimony on H. 5309, which would opt South Carolina in to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. The testimony was submitted in advance of the bill’s hearing before the House Education and Public Works Committee on March 31, 2026. Dear Representative Erickson, Palmetto Promise Institute appreciates the opportunity to

March 27, 2026

Announcing the Launch of the South Carolina Universal School Choice Coalition!

COLUMBIA, SC — Palmetto Promise Institute announced today that a new statewide effort, the South Carolina Universal School Choice Coalition, has officially launched. The Coalition and its individual signatories will focus on advancing a universal school choice framework—one that expands access to high-quality educational opportunities for every student across the state. “Members of this coalition

March 26, 2026

Potholes and Choice Lanes. Oh my!

Whether your frustration with South Carolina roads is time in traffic or poor pavement quality, help could be on the way. Earlier this week, the South Carolina Senate, under the leadership of Senator Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley), passed S.831, the Department of Transportation reform bill. The 33-page legislation seems to have something for everyone, except for

March 26, 2026

South Carolina Lawmakers Must Protect Parent Rights. Here’s What Families Need to Know.

In this OpEd, originally published in The Daily Signal, Jonathan Butcher discusses the ongoing battle over parental rights in South Carolina. It happened again: A parent, this one in South Carolina, has accused teachers at her child’s school of hiding information about him from his family. Fortunately, state lawmakers are considering a proposal to protect parents from educators who

March 24, 2026

The U.S. Debt Challenge: Should South Carolinians Worry?

We frequently hear how the U.S. is in a “debt crisis.” The U.S. Debt Clock presents debt data in real time. Is this level of debt really a problem? If so, what should South Carolinians do about it? Productive Uses of Government Debt Though most of us would prefer a smaller federal government without any debt, debt can serve legitimate purposes when used correctly. Borrowing allows the government to continue operating despite revenue volatility (e.g., tax collections are

March 18, 2026

With Data Centers Looming, South Carolina Shouldn’t Shy Away from Energy Choice

Harsher-than-normal winter weather has stressed South Carolina’s energy grid in recent years. while summer usage has earned the Palmetto State the dubious honor of the highest average residential electricity bills in the country (2016). Now, come data centers, which are huge energy consumers. What is the answer? Should we turn to monopoly utilities to save

March 18, 2026

The History & Future of “The Success Sequence”

According to the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), three simple steps, obtaining at least a high school diploma, securing full-time employment, and waiting until marriage to begin having children, can drastically lower your chances of experiencing poverty. Known as “The Success Sequence,” this proven formula was first identified by social historian Barbara

March 18, 2026

Education Sandboxes Present a Great Opportunity for South Carolina

On March 18, 2026, I appeared before the Senate Education Subcommittee to testify on Senator Rex Rice’s S.708, which would create a limited regulatory sandbox and offer some much-needed regulatory and statutory flexibility to school districts who successfully applied for a waiver. However, time constraints limited my testimony significantly – below are my full prepared

March 18, 2026

FITSForum: South Carolina Families are Asking for School Choice

This op-ed, originally published in FITSNews, highlights the need for a shift in how we think about the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF). Rather than debating whether we should fund 10,000 seats or 20,000, we should be looking at funding every application that came in during the priority window – supporting families who need this

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