Palmetto Promise Institute Internship Program

Our program is designed to provide young individuals with the opportunity to learn about state policy development and to gain hands-on experience working on policy research, legislative analysis, and communications.

2023-2024 Palmetto Freedom Agenda

Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) Signed Into Law

Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, five thousand scholarships will be awarded to children from low and moderate income families (<$60,000 for a family of 4). Scholarships may be used not just for private school tuition but for a host of education providers. It is the ultimate customizable education. There are other restrictions. Children must have previously attended public school or be entering kindergarten. The portal for applying for these scholarships will open in March 2024. Schools are holding Open House events now. Get the ESA details here!

Hope · Opportunity · Promise

Explore The Issues

Latest News

September 28, 2026

Data Matters. Families Matter More: Addressing Criticisms of the ESTF Program

Last Monday, the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC) released a report titled “Education Scholarship Trust Fund, Year One (School Year 2024-25): A Formative Review of Data Quality and Transparency.” What followed was a barrage of criticisms looking to cast a shadow on the program, much of which lacks context. We want to take a

September 28, 2026

Alternative certification program aims to help fill South Carolina teacher vacancies

I recently had the opportunity to join Stephen Biddix from WIS10 to discuss some of the work that South Carolina is doing to address teacher vacancies. To check out the video interview, you can view the original article here. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – As South Carolina continues to work through a teacher shortage, one organization

September 24, 2026

Should Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy Merge?

When NextEra Energy proposed to “combine” (merge) with Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy South Carolina, for a brief moment it was what one observer called a “sleepy energy story.” Utilities merge all the time. So what? But then elected officials and policy groups from both left and right began to take a closer look at

September 17, 2026

NEW REPORT: Small Modular Reactors – Concept Becoming Reality?

This new report explores the ongoing development of SMRs in the United States and abroad. This technology could be important for South Carolina’s future growth as the energy grid becomes increasingly pressured. DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT. What is the current state of energy in South Carolina? Due to increased growth, in-migration and aging power plants,

September 10, 2026

New York Judge Sides with South Carolina on $75 Billion Climate Shakedown

New York’s Climate Superfund Act, passed in 2024, sought to require American energy producers to pay roughly $3 billion per year for 25 years based on their emissions from 2000–2024. This would result in $75 billion being paid to reverse alleged environmental damages caused by these emissions. South Carolina was part of a coalition of

September 3, 2026

The 2026 SPN Annual Meeting: A Diary

On August 25th and 26th, many on the Palmetto Promise team attended the State Policy Network (SPN) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. There, policy organizations from across the United States gathered to discuss freedom, federalism, and imminent threats to each. Organizations discussed freedom wins for their states on matters including education, energy, taxation, and regulation.

September 2, 2026

The New Federal Tax Credit Scholarship: A Series

As the school year ramps up and kids settle in to the new school year, many of us are already looking forward to January. With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill came the creation of the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) – a program that allows taxpayers to redirect up to $1,700 of

August 27, 2026

The Results Are In: Health Care Consolidation Works

Nearly two years ago, South Carolina lawmakers debated merging the state’s fragmented health care agencies. The proposal was controversial; members of the South Carolina House Freedom Caucus warned the merger would concentrate too much power in a single person, creating a “health czar”. Today, the consolidation is showing results. In 2024, Palmetto Promise Institute produced

August 20, 2026

Ending the Utility Monopoly: Lessons from H.5440 and S.878 (R.I.P.)

South Carolina’s electricity market remains a regulated monopoly. Utilities operate within fixed territories, leaving customers with no choice of provider, while the state government sets the rates. Palmetto Promise Institute has long advocated for Limited Retail Choice (LRC). This proven reform allows customers to purchase electricity from alternative suppliers rather than being locked into service

August 13, 2026

Powering the Palmetto State: A Market-Driven Solution to Our Looming Energy Crisis

As we all know, energy demand is a pressing issue for South Carolina. According to EIA data, South Carolina energy rates went up more than 9% last year and show no sign of slowing down. That being said, South Carolina has historically boasted energy rates below the national average, a trait that makes it very attractive to both manufacturers and residents. Recently, PPI laid out a case for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a primary solution to this

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