South Carolina residents hardly need an introduction to one of the most significant sources of tax revenue in the Palmetto State: property taxes. The property tax is one of the Palmetto State’s oldest forms of taxation and is a staple for state and local government revenue all across the country. According to the Tax Foundation,
In South Carolina, where patients often drive far and wait weeks to see a doctor, the answer to faster, cheaper care may be standing behind the pharmacy counter. The United Health Foundation found that, in 2023, 31.8% of people in South Carolina live in rural areas, which is higher than the national average of 20.4%.
How long have you spent waiting for an appointment with a physician? Prolonged wait times have become a reality for most Americans due to a nationwide doctor shortage. On average, Americans must wait 20 days to receive an appointment with a physician, even though the estimated standard wait time is 14 days. Nationwide, this shortage
Since at least the Great Depression, the federal administrative state has expanded its reach dramatically. This is a severe challenge for democracy. But fortunately, South Carolina is holding its own…for now. In the State Policy Network’s annual Federalism Scorecard, the Palmetto State ranks 5th in the nation—that means South Carolina is the fifth least vulnerable
When citizens debate the dreaded subject of taxes, the conversation nearly always revolves around individual income taxes. This was a hot topic in the 2025 South Carolina General Assembly. Yet, behind the scenes, another stealthier tax is quietly shaping the state’s economy just as powerfully: the manufacturing property tax. South Carolina has historically lived on
South Carolina has been hit with an historical occurrence, one that this state has never seen before: three South Carolina General Assembly special election primaries will take place on the same day: October 21, 2025. So far, a total of four vacancies in the South Carolina House and Senate will be up for grabs in
In 2020, COVID lockdowns sent workers home. This changed the landscape of jobs in the United States. Initially, this was believed to be permanent. During COVID, telecommuting and remote work became the norm. Five years later, some employers, public and private, still allow workers to telecommute or work remote. According to the U.S. Office of
Small businesses are the backbone of the economy in South Carolina. As of 2024, there were 507,620 small businesses (defined as firms with fewer than 500 employees), making up 99.4% of businesses in the Palmetto State. Because of this outsized role in our quality of life, the government should be very reluctant to interfere with
The University of South Carolina System is taking a leadership role—alongside public higher education systems in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas—in creating a new accrediting agency focused on public institutions. This first-of-its-kind collaboration, known as the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), aims to strengthen academic excellence, prioritize student outcomes, and streamline accreditation
If you’ve been around South Carolina for any length of time, you’ve heard the grumbling about our state roads. The subject of many jokes and complaints about the state over the years, there seems to be a common belief that the Palmetto State is among the worst in the nation for roads and other infrastructure.
