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Articles by Sam Aaron
We Need a Codified Earmarks Process to Protect S.C. Taxpayers
By now, the budgetary dust has settled across the state, as the S.C. Legislature passed a general appropriations act and a supplemental appropriations act for this fiscal year allocating an additional $351 million to lawmakers’ pet projects, also known as earmarks. An earmark typically is a budget request made by a legislator later in the budget cycle rather than a state agency at the start of the process.
South Carolina in a Spending Spiral
Taxpayers need a break, in this update from the South Carolina Policy Council. As the great Benjamin Franklin once said, “in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” In South Carolina, there might as well be another—government spending. Over the past decade, one pattern has held constant: the General Fund grows nearly every year, typically outpacing both inflation and population growth. The House recently advanced its version of the state budget.
FY 27: Another year of big state spending?
On Monday, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster released his proposed state spending plan for fiscal year 2027, which starts July 1. His state budget proposal outlines several familiar policy priorities, including teacher pay raises, additional infrastructure funding, and an extension of the in-state tuition freeze. So how does this budget shape up compared to last year's final figures? FY26 final vs.
The South Carolina Policy Council’s 2026 Winter Poll
With the start of 2026, the second half of the legislative session is underway. Both new and existing proposals are moving through the South Carolina Statehouse. To provide lawmakers, members of the media, and the public with the most up-to-date insight into where likely South Carolina voters stand on key issues, such as taxes, judicial reform, and energy policy, the South Carolina Policy Council is releasing its latest policy poll.
The 2027 South Carolina Responsible Budget
Introduction South Carolina enters Fiscal Year 2027 with strong economic momentum but growing fiscal risk. Payroll employment expanded by 3.1 percent year over year, while the unemployment rate edged up to 4.3 percent in August 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The 2027 South Carolina Responsible Budget
Introduction South Carolina enters Fiscal Year 2027 with strong economic momentum but growing fiscal risk. Payroll employment expanded by 3.1 percent year over year, while the unemployment rate edged up to 4.3 percent in August 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Where SC’s Gubernatorial Candidates Stand on Judicial Reform, Taxes, and Spending
Recently, the South Carolina Policy Council sat down with several of the state’s gubernatorial candidates for in-depth policy discussions. While SCPC does not endorse candidates, we extended an invitation to all who have formally declared their candidacy. Over the past several election cycles, one thing has become clear: Long-form, open dialogue wins the day. Voters value detailed policy discussions far more than quick sound bites.
Certificate of Need repeal passes major legislative hurdle
By Sam Aaron A proposal that would improve access to healthcare services and reduce medical costs passed a major legislative hurdle this week. The bill (S.164), advanced by the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee on Wednesday, would largely eliminate state Certificate of Need (CON) requirements for healthcare providers, a key priority on our 2023-24 Legislative Agenda.
Download Sonic Pi 4.3.0
2 downloads MIT License Take your audio composing experience to the next level, with this editor that will allow you to convert coding into sound outputs What's new in Sonic Pi 4.3.0: GUI: Restrict running instances to only allow one instance of Sonic Pi to be running at any one time on a given machine. Translations: Read the full changelog Sound compositions have been at the center of a multitude of aspects that characterize humanity’s identity, language, and similar aspects.
Practical Classroom Tech: Life of Pi
Sam Aaron Thursday, March 1, 2018 Music is an excellent cross-curricular subject, and this is particularly true with computer science. Many music teachers might be worried about coding with students in music lessons – but Sam Aaron, University of Cambridge computer science researcher and electronic musician, is here to explain its benefits. The laser beams sliced through the wafts of smoke as the subwoofer pumped bass deep into the bodies of the crowd.
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