A new Palmetto Promise Institute statewide survey of likely South Carolina Republican primary voters shows overwhelming concern that excessive lawsuits are driving up insurance premiums and strong support for commonsense legal reforms that protect consumers, restore balance to the civil justice system, and lower costs for families. The poll also measured voter sentiment on the
What a year 2025 has been for the state of South Carolina! With a 2026 election cycle well underway (including a series of Statehouse special elections in recent days) and a busy initial year of the two-year legislative session, there has been no shortage of political activity. As we prepare for the 2026 legislative session, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the impact Palmetto Promise Institute has had on
There are very few policy issues that drastically affect families, employers, and the state economy all at the same time, but child care certainly fits in this category. South Carolina parents are struggling to find affordable child care, making it increasingly difficult to balance holding down a job and raising a family. Many parents face termination or reduced hours, as frequent child care-related absences— defined as time off required to provide necessary care or attention to a child when normal care
On April 28, 2023, Samantha Miller died tragically after being struck by a drunk driver in Folly Beach, South Carolina. It was her wedding day. What was supposed to be the happiest day of her life turned into a nightmare for Samantha, her fiancé, and her family. In South Carolina, drunk driving is not just a statistic—it is a way of life for some drivers. In 2022, South
Palmetto Promise Institute was proud to join the coalition letter below in support of the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, which we have previously written about here and here. We, the undersigned organizations, urge South Carolina legislators to advance and enact the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (H. 3021) – a commonsense REINS-style reform that
State Policy Network filed an amicus brief with more than 30 organizations (including Palmetto Promise Institute) in support of The Buckeye Institute v. Internal Revenue Service—a case challenging a decades-old federal law that forces nonprofits to hand over the names and addresses of their largest donors to the IRS each year. The brief argues that
Palmetto Promise Institute is a co-amici in the following brief, filed in NRA v. Vullo. Advancing American Freedom, leading a coalition of 52 amici, filed an amicus brief in NRA v. Vullo, urging the Supreme Court to hear the case. In this case, the New York government pressured insurance companies to drop coverage of insurance plans
After years of false starts, heated hearings, and last-minute negotiations, South Carolina has finally passed lawsuit reform. Governor Henry McMaster signed H.3430 into law in May 2025, calling it “landmark tort reform.” This legislation is, indeed, a milestone. For the first time in two decades, the General Assembly has tackled not just liquor liability but
Since at least the Great Depression, the federal administrative state has expanded its reach dramatically. This is a severe challenge for democracy. But fortunately, South Carolina is holding its own…for now. In the State Policy Network’s annual Federalism Scorecard, the Palmetto State ranks 5th in the nation—that means South Carolina is the fifth least vulnerable
South Carolina has been hit with an historical occurrence, one that this state has never seen before: three South Carolina General Assembly special election primaries will take place on the same day: October 21, 2025. So far, a total of four vacancies in the South Carolina House and Senate will be up for grabs in
