Rep. Bill Taylor honored with ‘Statesman of Freedom’ award at Governor’s Mansion

The following article was originally published in the Post & Courier.

Palmetto Promise Institute honored retiring S.C. Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken, with its Statesman of Freedom Award during the inaugural Palmetto Promise Honors event on Sept. 30 at the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion in Columbia.

Taylor, who is concluding 16 years of service in the South Carolina House of Representatives, was recognized for his commitment to limited government, education freedom, federalism, accountability in higher education and other free-market reforms during his eight terms representing House District 86.

“Bill Taylor has spent 16 years standing up for the principles of freedom and limited government at the State House,” said Wendy Damron, president and CEO of Palmetto Promise Institute. “He has never been afraid to challenge government overreach or take on difficult issues. It was a privilege to recognize his service to South Carolina with our Statesman of Freedom Award.”

During the presentation, Palmetto Promise also announced that Taylor has been elected to the institute’s board of directors.

“Bill’s retirement from the General Assembly may close one chapter of his public service, but we are delighted that his experience, judgment and commitment to our principles will continue to benefit Palmetto Promise and the people of South Carolina,” Damron said. “Having someone who has seen the legislative process from the inside for 16 years will be invaluable as we continue working to turn good policy ideas into meaningful reforms.”

Taylor was one of several South Carolina leaders recognized during the inaugural Palmetto Promise Honors. Champion of Freedom Awards were presented to House Speaker Murrell Smith, Sen. Larry Grooms, Sen. Tom Davis and Rep. Shannon Erickson for their leadership on public policy issues including education freedom, tax reform, healthcare reform, energy and regulatory reform.

The evening concluded with the presentation of the South Carolina Champion of Freedom Lifetime Award to Gov. Henry McMaster, recognizing his more than four decades of public service to South Carolina.

“Palmetto Promise spends every day developing and advancing ideas that expand freedom and opportunity in South Carolina, but ideas don’t advance themselves,” Damron said. “They require leaders willing to take on difficult challenges, stay with important reforms for years, and turn good ideas into good public policy. Palmetto Promise Honors gives us an opportunity to recognize some of the people who have done exactly that.”

Palmetto Promise Institute is an independent, nonpartisan research and educational organization based in South Carolina. The Institute develops and promotes policy solutions designed to expand opportunity, increase freedom, and help South Carolinians flourish.