Fast Facts

Late in 2014, headlines heralded the news that America’s official unemployment rate had fallen below 6% for the first time since 2008. Surely, a sign that we’re on the path to recovery, right? A closer look says “not so fast.” From 2008 to the most complete numbers we have in 2013, South Carolina’s labor participation has seen a uniform, steady decline across gender and race, aside from a 2012-2013 rebound among Hispanic workers.

We have much to do to create the opportunity of a high-quality, customized education for every South Carolina student. In this handy publication we take a look at 10 ideas that would give us a strong start.

What would offshore energy exploration mean for South Carolina in terms of potential revenue, economic development and jobs? What would it mean for our tourism industry and beautiful coast? These questions and more are explored in our groundbreaking report SC’S Offshore Opportunity: Economic & Environmental Impacts of Atlantic Energy Exploration. Learn more at www.OffshoreOpportunity.com.

Despite their declining membership rolls, public sector unions ostensibly attract members by touting unions’ collective bargaining abilities to promote higher pay, improve benefits, and increase job security. But that’s not the case in the Palmetto State. Data shows that unionized government workers in South Carolina make 4% less than their non-union counterparts.

Under Obamacare, many of the health plans we were told we “could keep” are no longer available…and the plans replacing them are expensive and full of features we don’t want or need. In fact, our research shows that young South Carolinians and those living in rural areas are getting hit the hardest.

Does education spending equate to student success? Not according to the data. Check out our comparison of Florida and South Carolina and the results each state is getting from their very different habits in education spending.

Medicaid expansion puts the truly vulnerable at greater risk. Expansion was "paid for" by cutting $716 billion from seniors' Medicare. And in states that have expanded Medicaid, costs are growing faster than revenue, siphoning resources away from education, infrastructure and public safety. It is also driving UP use of emergency rooms as there are proportionally fewer Medicaid providers to go around. Our handy summary lays out 10 key reasons why Medicaid expansion is "fool's gold" - not “free money” - as proponents say.