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South Carolina Policy Council: Difference between revisions
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The '''South Carolina Policy Council''' (SCPC) is a [[501(c)(3)]] public policy research and education organization. SCPC's website describes itself as "South Carolina's longest-serving free market research organization. SCPC was founded in 1986 by Thomas Roe as an independent, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the principles of limited government, individual liberties, free markets, and traditional South Carolina values."<ref name=about>[https://www.scpolicycouncil.org/about ''South Carolina Policy Council'', "About Us," accessed December 17, 2025]</ref> | The '''South Carolina Policy Council''' (SCPC) is a [[501(c)(3)]] public policy research and education organization. SCPC's website describes itself as "South Carolina's longest-serving free market research organization. SCPC was founded in 1986 by Thomas Roe as an independent, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the principles of limited government, individual liberties, free markets, and traditional South Carolina values."<ref name=about>[https://www.scpolicycouncil.org/about ''South Carolina Policy Council'', "About Us," accessed December 17, 2025]</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 16:41, 17 December 2025
| South Carolina Policy Council | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Columbia, S.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Top official: | Michael Burris, CEO |
| Founder(s): | Thomas Roe |
| Year founded: | 1986 |
| Website: | Official website |
| Connections | |
| State Policy Network | |
The South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC) is a 501(c)(3) public policy research and education organization. SCPC's website describes itself as "South Carolina's longest-serving free market research organization. SCPC was founded in 1986 by Thomas Roe as an independent, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the principles of limited government, individual liberties, free markets, and traditional South Carolina values."[1]
SCPC is part of the State Policy Network, a national think tank network "dedicated solely to improving the practical effectiveness of independent, nonprofit, market-oriented, state-focused think tanks."[2][3]
Background
Thomas Roe founded SCPC in 1986. In January 2010, SCPC launched The Nerve, which the group describes as an "investigative news site focused on emerging policy and political issues facing South Carolina. It produces hard-hitting, one-of-a-kind stories about property rights, overregulation, government waste, lack of transparency, conflicts of interest and abuse of power."[1]
Leadership
As of December 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at SCPC:[4]
- Michael Burris, Chief Executive Officer
- Sam Aaron, Research Director
- Neil Wolin, Director of Digital Strategy
- Lindsay Elliott, Administrative Director
- Rick Brundrett, News Editor at the Nerve
Work and activities
2008 school district FOIA requests
The SCPC made the news in December 2008 when it submitted identical South Carolina Freedom of Information Act requests to each of the state's 85 school districts. In total, the school districts quoted costs exceeding $400,000 to supply the requested documents. Beaufort County School District quoted the highest fee, at $214,000.[5]
The SCPC was also active in opposing public school district employment of lobbyists. Ashley Landess, president of the organization, was quoted in a September 2009 Post and Courier article, saying, "It's a conflict of interest against the people. As a taxpayer, I might be paying a lobbyist to fight for something I don't agree with."[6]
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope. Know of one we missed? Click here to let us know.
Finances
The following is a breakdown of the South Carolina Policy Council's revenues and expenses from 2011 to 2024. The information comes from ProPublica
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $1,014,882 | $1,197,673 |
| 2012 | $,144,999 | $1,115,784 |
| 2013 | $747,384 | $966,908 |
| 2014 | $1,011,002 | $825,365 |
| 2015 | $587,587 | $747,353 |
| 2016 | $830,674 | $821,033 |
| 2017 | $737,279 | $736,086 |
| 2018 | $572,457 | $511,781 |
| 2019 | $405,536 | $451,778 |
| 2020 | $349,831 | $442,601 |
| 2021 | $373,557 | $341,023 |
| 2022 | $561,223 | $546,398 |
| 2023 | $838,438 | $727,353 |
| 2024 | $628,447 | $563,929 |
See also
External links
- South Carolina Policy Council
- South Carolina Policy Council on Facebook
- South Carolina Policy Council on X
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 South Carolina Policy Council, "About Us," accessed December 17, 2025
- ↑ State Policy Network, "South Carolina Policy Council," accessed May 31, 2016
- ↑ State Policy Network, "About SPN," accessed January 25, 2014
- ↑ South Carolina Policy Council, "Staff," accessed December 17, 2025
- ↑ Beaufort Gazette, "Beaufort District submits highest bill for providing information," December 9, 2008
- ↑ The Post and Courier, Schools defend lobbying costs
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