Research

South Carolina legislators are, in the 2025-26 session, amidst a serious debate about expanding healthcare access and scope of practice in our state.  At the most fundamental level, scope of practice (SOP) in healthcare policy is defined as “the activities and duties [tasks] that a licensed or certified healthcare professional is permitted to perform, based

In January 2025, The Nation’s Report Card released the scores from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for 4th, 8th, and 12th grade math and reading—though South Carolina has not tested 12th grade math since 2013. Usually administered every other year, NAEP gives us a snapshot of our academic achievement. When paired with

For years, Palmetto Promise Institute has supported Direct Primary Care (DPC) as a key reform to improve healthcare access, affordability, and doctor-patient relationships in South Carolina. With the introduction of H. 3966 by Rep. Davis (R-Moncks Corner), the General Assembly has another opportunity to solidify legal protections for this innovative care model. This legislation comes

When most South Carolinians think about state income taxes, they imagine filing a single return. Yet, for the estimated 200,000 residents who cross a state line to earn their paycheck, and the 121,000 non-residents who work in-person in South Carolina, the reality of tax season is a little more complicated. These citizens are often caught

South Carolina’s electricity market is at a crossroads. Composed of utilities operating under a vertically integrated model with limited competition, the state faces growing pressure to reduce costs, find new generation, and ensure long-term grid reliability. While efforts like the Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM) have introduced modest reforms among a subset of utilities in

In the 126th General Assembly, key South Carolina legislators are working to pass S.46, a bill that signals that physician non-compete agreements both interfere with physician-patient relationships and corporatize the practice of medicine. The bill is designed to put an end to medical non-competes.  What is a noncompete agreement?  A noncompete agreement is a legal

South Carolina is at a turning point. With one of the fastest-growing populations in the country and a booming economy, the demand for reliable, affordable energy has never been higher. Yet, our outdated energy system—dominated by utility monopolies—is struggling to keep up. Without modernization, we risk not only higher costs but also potential energy shortages

In 2015, South Carolina’s Office of the State Treasurer released a report on the health of the state employee retirement system entitled “The Pothole that you can’t see.” In this examination of our state’s pension system, the numbers were shocking. According to the report, as of 2015, the state retirement system’s unfunded liability stood at

The lawsuit industry in South Carolina is out of control. Drive down any highway in our state, and you’ll see it lined with billboards for trial lawyers. The sheer quantity are a clear sign that something in our state is sorely wrong. Businesses with as little as 1% of fault are paying 100% of the

With the launch of a brand new 2025-26 legislative session, all bills that did not pass in 2023-24 were officially pronounced dead. Unfortunately, energy generation expansion and reform were among the key areas that saw no movement in the last General Assembly. But a conversation between Senate and House had begun. That’s progress. So, what