No tax bill is perfect. But this one nearly is. Here’s why…

Tax & Budget
Blog · April 2, 2025

As a CPA and tax professional with over 30 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how tax policy impacts people’s lives, businesses, and the broader economy. That’s why I strongly support the proposed income tax cut (H.4216) currently under consideration in South Carolina.  Is it perfect? No. But it’s a strong, responsible step in the

How the Closure of the Federal Department of Education Could Impact South Carolina

Education
Blog · March 31, 2025

On March 20, President Trump signed an executive order calling for removal of cabinet status for the U.S. Department of Education (ED). This announcement has made waves in the media, and lots of disinformation has been going around about just what this order means.  So how does the Trump executive order on downgrading the U.S.

Bring Georgia’s Best Electricity Market Innovation to South Carolina

Energy
Blog · March 27, 2025

Energy policy has long been a balancing act between market competition and regulatory oversight. Traditionally, South Carolina’s electricity market has been dominated by vertically integrated, monopoly utilities that control all three aspects of the power system—generation, transmission, and distribution. So, the Palmetto State has leaned toward regulation. But a relatively simple and proven reform is

Give Me a Nanny or Give Me Death?

Tax & Budget
Blog · March 27, 2025

“We should not expect the state to appear in the guise of an extravagant good fairy at christening, a loquacious companion at every stage of life’s journey and the unknown mourner at every funeral.” —Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher “Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in

Commentary: Free market solutions for SC’s energy future

Energy
Blog · March 27, 2025

This op-ed by Dr. Oran Smith was originally published in the SC Daily Gazette. It is no secret that South Carolina has become a magnet for business, industry, and people. Since 2007, our population has grown by over one million, and the U-Hauls keep coming. The in-migration boom includes manufacturing and high-tech industries as well. This generational change

A Tax Cut Ten Years in the Making

Tax & Budget
Blog · March 26, 2025

Shortly after Palmetto Promise Institute was born, we were approached by former state Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor about weighing in on tax policy. He had seen the ill effects of our broken-down tax system and wanted aggressive reform.   With Taylor’s generous support, we released comprehensive studies by pre-eminent South Carolina economist Dr. Rebecca Gunnlauggsson

Palmetto Promise President & CEO Wendy Damron Appointed by US Commission on Civil Rights

Education
Blog · March 24, 2025

We are proud to share that Palmetto Promise Institute’s President & CEO Wendy Damron was appointed by the US Commission on Civil Rights to the advisory committee for the State of South Carolina.   Below is the press release from the US Commission on Civil Rights regarding Damron’s appointment: On Friday, March 21, 2025, the

South Carolina Among Lowest in the Nation in Education Freedom – Come Learn Why

Education
Blog · March 24, 2025

Our friends at EdChoice have recently published the 2025 EdChoice Friedman Index, which measures just how much K-12 education choice there is in each state. The 2025 EdChoice Friedman Index is a comprehensive and easy-to-understand measure of the availability of private K-12 educational choice across the United States. Inspired by Milton and Rose Friedman’s vision of universal