Unfinished Business: The Case for Magistrate Selection Reform in South Carolina

Quality of Life
Blog · October 9, 2024

On July 2, 2024, Governor McMaster signed S.1046 into law. This legislation reforms the process by which South Carolina selects its state judges. Well, most of them. Our declaration of only partial victory is not meant to take away from the fact that S.1046 was indeed a substantial step in the right direction towards full

COMMENTARY: Kamala Harris’ housing plan is bad for South Carolina as state AG Alan Wilson has shown

Quality of Life
Blog · September 13, 2024

This op-ed by President Wendy Damron was originally published in The State. The old saying goes, “I’d rather have a workhorse than a showhorse.” South Carolina is fortunate to have a workhorse in Attorney General Alan Wilson. Since taking office in 2011, he has worked tirelessly to rein in the federal government’s overreach and reinvigorate

Civil Asset Forfeiture: Explanatory Stories and Essential Sources

Quality of Life
Blog · September 9, 2024

Mikee Albin was a 65-year-old Vietnam veteran. He was living in an RV in the parking lot of the restaurant he ran, hoping to build up the business and achieve the American dream of entrepreneurship and homeownership. But his dream was sidetracked…badly sidetracked. Following an undercover investigation at his restaurant, where it was determined that

Local Election Turnout is Shockingly Low. That Must Change.

Quality of Life
Blog · September 5, 2024

South Carolina localities have little to no statutory guidelines regarding when local elections are allowed, which has led to a much smaller voter turnout than the typical statewide general election. But local elections hold just as much importance, if not more, than statewide elections. There, citizens have the chance to vote for the officials that

South Carolina, The New Frontier for Tech? Here’s How to Make It Happen

Quality of Life
Blog · July 22, 2024

American entrepreneurship, once legendary, is on the decline. The United States Joint Economic Committee reports that since the 1970s entrepreneurship has diminished across multiple different measures, including business formation. One reason for the reduction in business start-ups is the increasingly complex regulatory environment that government has introduced in the past few years. Small businesses are

Historic Judicial Reform Bill Headed to the Governor – Here’s What It Does

Quality of Life
Blog · June 28, 2024

Late in the day June 26, the Conference Committee on S.1046, South Carolina’s judicial reform bill, reached an agreement on the final text to be sent to the Governor. Shortly thereafter, both legislative chambers approved the conference report unanimously. The bill now goes to Governor McMaster’s desk, where he is expected to sign it into

South Carolina lawmakers send judicial reform measure to governor

Quality of Life
Blog · June 27, 2024

Palmetto Promise Policy Analyst Felicity Ropp is quoted in this article from the Center Square by Todd DeFeo. (The Center Square) — South Carolina lawmakers have approved a version of a judicial reform measure following months of back-and-forth debate. S. 1046, passed during this month’s special session, ostensibly increases transparency and accountability by changing how