General Assembly Boosts Public School Choice in ESTF Legislation

Education
Blog · July 10, 2025

Most legislative observers missed it, but buried deep in S.62—the bill whose primary purpose was to reestablish South Carolina’s private school choice program (the Education Scholarship Trust Fund)— was a glimmer of hope for public school choice. The encouraging provision, which introduced the idea of interdistrict transfers for all students, can be found in Section

The Cost of Speaking Out: Why South Carolina Needs Anti-SLAPP Laws

Quality of Life
Blog · July 9, 2025

Have you ever felt the need to speak out against a powerful entity— such as a large corporation, government regulatory agency, or public figure— only to worry about getting sued for it?  In South Carolina, that is a very legitimate concern. The Palmetto State lacks basic protections against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, or SLAPPs,

Victory for Families: A Historic Breakthrough for School Choice Becomes Federal Law

Education
Blog · July 8, 2025
Girls in school uniform studying in the library

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law what may be the most significant federal school choice measure in American history. This new law, which includes Section 25F of the Internal Revenue Code, creates a permanent federal tax credit for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). And it is nothing short of a game-changer.

Breaking Down the One Big, Beautiful Bill: Here’s What Just Passed

Tax & Budget
Blog · July 7, 2025

After long weeks of deliberation, President Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) finally passed the US House on July 3, 2025, in a 217-214 vote. Just days prior, the Senate passed it with the final deciding vote cast by Vice President Vance. This tight victory for Trump marks the penultimate step toward his self-imposed July

The PBM Power Play: Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Rising Prescription Drug Costs, and What South Carolina Can Do About It

Healthcare
Blog · July 7, 2025

The role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, more commonly known as “PBMs,” has been a frequent topic of conversation in the South Carolina State House in recent months, with a new Pharmacy Benefit Managers Ad Hoc Committee established in February 2025. The Palmetto State PBM conversation mirrors national attention on the matter by Republicans and Democrats

Palmetto Promise’s School Choice Efforts Named Finalist for Two Awards

Education
Blog · June 30, 2025

Palmetto Promise Institute is pleased to announce that we have been named a finalist for two State Policy Network awards due to our diligent work to restore school choice for South Carolina families. In the 2024-25 school year, South Carolina’s first ESA program was finally underway, and thousands of low-income families were enrolled in their

Regulatory Makeover: A Fresh Face for Cosmetology Licensing in South Carolina

Quality of Life
Blog · June 30, 2025

Currently in South Carolina, an estimated 17,057 potential job opportunities have been regulated out of existence by overreaching state occupational licensing laws and regulations. Now, don’t get us wrong. Because of health, safety, and consumer protection concerns, standards are important. But our state’s licensing system is currently placing unnecessary roadblocks in front of many South

Protect Local Charities

Tax & Budget
Blog · June 20, 2025

This op ed was originally published in FitsNews. At Palmetto Promise Institute, we believe the best solutions don’t come from Washington — they come from communities. That’s why we were alarmed to see the U.S. House propose a steep tax hike on private foundations, raising the current 1.39% excise tax on investment income to as

Rating South Carolina: Pensions, Elections, & Roads. Oh my!

Quality of Life
Blog · June 19, 2025

At Palmetto Promise Institute, we are big on ratings and rankings. If done properly, a grade or score in a policy area can help a state know where it stands on freedom issues and how efficiently and effectively that state spends taxpayer dollars. Comparisons to neighboring states can be particularly useful. Trusted national organizations produce