Solving South Carolina’s $977 Million Problem

Quality of Life
Blog · December 23, 2025

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

Commentary: A commonsense energy solution for SC

Energy
Blog · December 17, 2025

This op-ed by Dr. Oran Smith and Michael Wright was published in the Post and Courier. From families to industries, everyone wants a piece of what the Palmetto State has to offer. As South Carolina continues to grow, we must identify sustainable energy solutions to mitigate an increasingly strained electricity supply while keeping rates affordable,

South Carolina Has a Drunk Driving Problem. Stronger Laws Can Save Lives.

Quality of Life
Blog · December 16, 2025

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

Put Unused Pension Plan Dollars to Work for South Carolina Employees

Tax & Budget
Blog · December 11, 2025

This column by Palmetto Promise board member Barry Wynn was originally published in FitsNews. For more than three decades, I’ve worked at the intersection of investment management, retirement planning, and sound public policy — helping families plan for their futures and advising institutions on how to safeguard the assets entrusted to them. As former Chairman

A New Frontier for Public School Choice in South Carolina

Education
Blog · December 8, 2025

With the signing of S.62 during the 2025 legislative session came a revamped Education Scholarship Trust Fund program designed to withstand any further constitutional challenges that may come its way. The bill also included a requirement that the South Carolina Department of Education develop model guidelines that traditional public schools must use to create an

Taxing Times for South Carolina Renters, Investors, Vacationers

Tax & Budget
Blog · December 4, 2025

South Carolina residents hardly need an introduction to one of the most significant sources of tax revenue in the Palmetto State: property taxes. The property tax is one of the Palmetto State’s oldest forms of taxation and is a staple for state and local government revenue all across the country.  According to the Tax Foundation,

The Hidden Advantages of the ESTF Program

Education
Blog · December 4, 2025

The school choice environment in South Carolina is evolving rapidly. Just a few short years ago, families were forced to attend their residentially zoned traditional public school, drive their children to a local public charter school (if they were able), or pay for private school tuition out of their own pocket – effectively trapping lower

Letter in Support of the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act

Quality of Life
Blog · December 3, 2025
Photo credit: WLTX

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

Understanding Inflation in South Carolina

Tax & Budget
Blog · December 3, 2025

Put simply, inflation is the rising price of goods and services. However, inflation is not just about price tags; it is about how price changes ripple through the economic system, impacting consumer behavior, business decisions, and overall economic activity. When inflation makes the news, we usually hear about one of three common indicators: the Consumer