Washington, D.C. – The Club for Growth Foundation published its 2024 South Carolina State Economic Scorecard, offering citizens of the Palmetto State insights into each legislator’s voting record on economic issues.
The Scorecard analyzes policies and votes to assign an Economic Growth Score from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the highest support for pro-growth policies. In 2024, the Foundation reviewed over 1,000 bills, scoring 13 South Carolina House and 10 South Carolina Senate votes.
“While South Carolina is generally touted as a conservative state, the majority of the state legislature is not voting in alignment with conservative values,” said Club for Growth Foundation President David McIntosh. “Lawmakers must get serious about promoting policies that drive economic prosperity while holding government accountable for future generations. Scores in both chambers were concerningly low for the 2024 legislative session.”
Click here to read the full South Carolina 2024 Scorecard from the Club for Growth Foundation.
Key Highlights from the 2024 South Carolina Scorecard:
South Carolina Senate:
- Average Republican Score: 34%
- Average Democrat Score: 25%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Thomas Corbin (SD-5): 52%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Richard Harpootlian (SD-20), Sen. Darrell Jackson (SD-21), and Sen. Kent Williams (SD-30): 33%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Lawrence Grooms (SD-37) and Sen. Greg Hembree (SD-28): 20%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Thomas McElveen (SD-35): 10%
South Carolina House:
- Average Republican Score: 40%
- Average Democrat Score: 8%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Thomas Beach (HD-10), Rep. April Cromer (HD-6), Rep. Robert Harris (HD-36), Rep. Robert May (HD-88), Rep. Donald McCabe (HD-96), Rep. Adam Morgan (HD-20), Rep. T. Alan Morgan (HD-18), Rep. Jordan Pace (HD-117), Rep. Joseph White (HD-40): 100%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Rep. Ivory Thigpen (HD-79): 12%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Heath Sessions (HD-46): 10%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Rep. Annie McDonald (HD-41) and Rep. Elizabeth Wetmore (HD-115): 0%
Notable Pro-Growth Legislation:
- 4710 – MODEST UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE REFORMS
- Reforms the unemployment insurance program by changing the give-outs based on the state’s unemployment rate.
- Caps benefits at 12 weeks if the rate is at or below 5.5% and maxes at 20 weeks if at or above 9%
- Would have saved $34.6 million in FY2022-23
- 5164 – MASSIVE SCHOOL CHOICE EXPANSION
- Increases the per pupil allocation from $6,000 to $7,600
- Removes the cap on the number of eligible students
- Removes the household income eligibility threshold
- Estimated participation is projected to increase by 180,000 students by FY2027-28
Notable Anti-Growth Legislation:
- 4113 – MEDICAID TAX-AND-FINE REVENUE SCHEME
- Grants more power to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to further tax and regulate healthcare to keep alive the failing and costly Medicaid welfare program
- A new tax on private ambulance services, a trust fund for the fee, and gives the DHHS the power to levy a 5% fine on any service that does not pay the assessment tax
- $3 million in new costs to businesses as well as $7 million in additional federal spending
- 5100 – MISSED OPPORTUNITY BUDGET AGREEMENT
- $40 billion in overall spending in the state budget, a 5.5% increase in year-over-year estimates
- $20 million for a corporate welfare slush fund
- Unmerited 10.6% pay raise for teachers
- 912 – NEW CRONY CLIMATE CHANGE INFRASTRUCTURE
- The estimated cost just for the first year would be $50 million with an annual minimum baseline increase of $10 million
- Creates a new agency, the SC Nexus Office, in the Department of Commerce to expand green energy distribution and increase green energy-oriented projects.
Note: This Scorecard is based on selected votes and does not reflect a legislator’s entire voting record. The Club for Growth Foundation does not endorse or oppose any legislator for public office.