Subsidizing Bad Habits: How SC Pays for Other States

Quality of Life
Blog · April 23, 2013

On a share-by-share basis, some donor states such as Texas, Florida, and South Carolina get less than an 85 percent share of the highway money they pay in [to the Federal Highway Trust Fund] while New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts get more than 100 percent. As bad as this disparity is, the allocation of federal transit spending is even more inequitable. Many highway donor states are also transit donor states, receiving much less for transit projects than they paid into the transit account, while many of the highway done states are also transit donees…

Thatcher was a true leader

Blog · April 17, 2013

The Greenville News By Ellen Weaver | Guest Columnist A post-Vietnam America adrift in self-doubt; a hostage crisis in Iran; gas lines; stagflation biting at family budgets: This was the weary reality of 1979, the year I was born. But it also marked the rise of Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II and Margaret Thatcher,

Can Poor Kids Learn?

Education
Blog · April 10, 2013

The answer, based on the evidence garnered from Florida’s transformative education reforms is a resounding “Yes!” Demographics are not destiny. No one would deny that there are critical factors of home life – parental education, family structure, poor nutrition and other variables that directly impact the educational readiness of children who enter school. But far

Empower Education Summit: The Path to Transforming SC’s Future

Education
Blog · April 8, 2013

Education transformation is a topic we are incredibly passionate about. In fact, in 2012, The Palmetto Fort Foundation (the Forum’s precursor) and U.S. Senator Jim DeMint’s office teamed up to host the “Empower Education Reform Summit.” This event, which was keynoted by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, attracted elected, education, business and community leaders –

Obamacare’s 3rd Anniversary

Healthcare
Blog · April 6, 2013

new report shows that by 2014, under the Affordable Care Act, unsubsidized individual premiums in South Carolina will skyrocket by 61%! Thank you @NikkiHaley and South Carolina legislators who are standing strong for state flexibility and innovation by fighting against the legislation’s full implementation.

We Can Learn a Lot From Florida

Education
Blog · April 6, 2013

South Carolina Radio Network Interview with Superintendent of Education Mick Zais South Carolina’s education superintendent says he wants this state to be more like Florida when it comes to education. During an interview on Charleston affiliate WTMA, Superintendent Mick Zais referenced a recent study by the new South Carolina conservative think tank Palmetto Policy Forum,

Cheers! The Forum has commenced.

Blog · April 5, 2013

Welcome to Forum Focus, the official blog home of Palmetto Policy Forum. We look forward to sharing great original content: policy papers, press, interviews with thoughtful leaders from around South Carolina and the nation…and even the occasional sound-off on issues we are passionate about. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and @PalmettoPolicy so that

Competitive Federalism

Blog · March 15, 2013

Ideas have consequences. This may seem obvious to some, but at PPI, we believe this calls us to examine the principles and truths that form the foundation of our policy innovation. We strongly believe in the First Principles of our federalist system and are proud to be co-signers of this important - and practical - report. As conservatives, we say "no" to federal overreach to have the flexibility to say "yes" to the innovative thinking that can only bubble up from the state and local level. We are strong advocates for returning dollars and decisions to the people best equipped to know and grow their own communities. Competitive Federalism is the arena in which states will compete to save America.