Federal School Choice Could Become a Reality with Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”

Education
Blog · May 23, 2025

After weeks of negotiation and deliberation, President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed the United States House of Representatives this week. Palmetto Promise is glad to see so many important components of this legislation, like continued tax cuts, deregulation, and more. But the part we are most excited about is the inclusion of the Educational

Families Fight Back as South Carolina Court Strikes Down School Choice

Education
Blog · April 25, 2025

This column by Palmetto Promise President & CEO Wendy Damron was originally published in the Daily Signal. South Carolina’s school choice program faced a crushing setback when the state’s Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional after hundreds of students had already started classes at new schools. However, a grassroots response has emerged to help families affected by the

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

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

Restoring Hope for Low-Income Students — A Conversation about the Fight for School Choice in South Carolina with Wendy Damron

Education
Blog · March 12, 2025

Palmetto Promise President and CEO Wendy Damron is honored to have been featured on the State Policy Network’s Neighbors in the Network podcast this week. Read about her interview and check out the whole episode below! When the South Carolina Supreme Court unexpectedly ruled mid-school year against the state’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund, thousands of low-income students suddenly faced

South Carolina’s New School Choice Bill Lags Behind Tennessee and Texas

Education
Blog · February 11, 2025

We are grateful to the South Carolina Senate for its recent passage of S.62, a bill by Education Chairman Greg Hembree that aims to restore school choice in South Carolina following the SC Supreme Court’s Eidson decision that left thousands of SC families with their promised scholarships ripped away. The legislation passed after several weeks

South Carolina advocate wins ‘Doer’ award for efforts to fund school choice

Education
Blog · January 27, 2025

This article by Adam Whittenberg was published in The Lion about Palmetto Promise President & CEO Wendy Damron’s recent award. When the South Carolina Supreme Court abruptly ended South Carolina’s school choice program just weeks into the school year, Wendy Damron didn’t take things lying down. Damron, who heads the Palmetto Promise Institute think tank,