About Palmetto PromiseThe Palmetto Promise ~ We promote policy solutions to advance a free and flourishing South Carolina, where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full, God-given potential.PROM·ISE \'PRÄ-MƏS\ (NOUN) ~ 1. A declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen. 2. The quality of potential excellence. Does the word “promise” in our name mean that we believe we have a promise to keep to our state—or that South Carolina is a state that has great promise? The answer is of course…yes! These twin definitions of “promise” serve as a guide for all of our work. Our beloved Palmetto State has great promise that we seek to unlock. And we promise to fulfill the duty we owe to future generations to sustain the sacred gift of freedom and leave them with a South Carolina full of opportunity for all.Palmetto Promise InstitutePPI_c53b439a-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea00South CaroliniansTHE PALMETTO TEAMOur staff are firm believers in the proven formula: solid research + strong relationships = results.Ellen WeaverPresident & CEOOran P. Smith, Ph.DSenior FellowRichard McAdamsDevelopment DirectorLawson MansellPolicy Content ManagerGeorge Smiling Jr.Education Outreach CoordinatorRESEARCH PARTNERSVisiting Fellows serve as adjunct scholars at PPI. These South Carolinians are distinguished within their disciplines for academic research and practical, real-world policy solutions. While Visiting Fellows partner with PPI on specific projects, they maintain independent scholarly interests not affiliated with PPI.Rebecca Gunnlaugsson, Ph.DVisiting Fellow, Tax & BudgetJonathan ButcherVisiting Fellow, EducationMike Maloney, Ph.DVisiting Fellow, EnergyKathleen Grace, Ph.DVisiting Fellow, EnergyMarcelo Hochman, MDVisiting Fellow, HealthcareBOARD OF DIRECTORSOur Board’s civic leadership powers our commitment to make South Carolina the best it can be.Rick TimmonsDirector, GreenvilleDan AdamsImmediate Past Chairman, GreenvilleMike BrenanDirector, ColumbiaWendy DamronTreasurer, CharlestonJim DeMintFounding Chairman, GreenvilleVan HippDirector, DebordieuPhil HughesChairman, GreenvilleStu RodmanVice Chairman, Hilton Head IslandBarry WynnDirector, SpartanburgEvery individual has the opportunity to reach their full, God-given potential_c53b4494-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea00To promote policy solutions to advance a free and flourishing South Carolina_c53b4548-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea00Common GroundFinding Common Ground: Building trust and establishing relationships with South Carolinians of all backgrounds.TrustRelationshipsBest PracticesPerforming rigorous research and thorough analysis to explain what’s working in public policy, both here and around the country, and why.ResearchAnalysisPolicyPolicy Entrepreneurship ~ Promoting innovative policy solutions that are grounded in the principles of freedom and equal opportunity and communicated with respect and kindness.​EntrepreneurshipFreedomEqual OpportunityCommunicationRespectKindnessEducationGive children without the skills they need to succeed in life_c53b45e8-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea001The Artis Ware Center for Education OpportunityNamed to honor the inspiring legacy of U.S. Senator Tim Scott’s grandfather, The Artis Ware Center for Education Opportunity works to advance educational excellence and hope for every South Carolina child.Children in South CarolinaEDUCATION FREEDOM | EMPOWER OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS ~ Every child in South Carolina deserves the opportunity of an education that helps them reach their full potential. Sadly, our outdated education system consistently ranks among the worst in the nation and leaves far too many children without the skills they need to succeed in life. Let’s embrace 21st century learning. We must expand access to high-quality options for parents in every zip code, better support effective teachers and principals, harness the power of digital learning, and simplify funding to get dollars out of bureaucracies and into classrooms. States around us are on the move with these proven reforms. We can’t afford to waste the potential of the Palmetto State’s greatest resource: our children!OptionsExpand access to high-quality options for parents_c53b4692-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea001.1Parents in South CarolinaSupportProvide better support to teachers and principals_acac916a-ec52-11ec-b101-3959f782ea001.2TeachersPrincipalsDigital LearningHarness the power of digital learning_acac9296-ec52-11ec-b101-3959f782ea001.3FundingSimplify funding to get dollars out of bureaucracies and into classrooms_acac935e-ec52-11ec-b101-3959f782ea001.4EnergyOpen up South Carolina’s energy markets to the power of competition_c53b4732-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea002South CaroliniansAffordable energy is essential for every household and business across our state. Unfortunately, South Carolinians pay the highest electricity bills in the country, and some of the highest rates. Each month rate-payers foot the bill for years of a stagnant, state-controlled energy status quo. It’s time to open up South Carolina’s energy markets to the power of competition. ENERGY FREEDOM | POWER CHOICES FOR CONSUMERS ~ Palmetto State energy consumers are in a real bind. Years of state control, insider deals and inept political management have left our energy sector in shambles. Vulnerable ratepayers in every corner of the state are paying the price in their monthly electricity bill.BusinessGet out of the state owned energy business_c53b48e0-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea002.1Let’s get out of the failed, state owned energy business.Natural ResourcesExplore our natural resources_acac9476-ec52-11ec-b101-3959f782ea002.2Responsibly exploring our natural resources and opening up the kind of energy choices that consumers in other states currently enjoy would mean more money in the pockets of hard-working South Carolinians.ChoicesOpening up the kind of energy choices that consumers in other states currently enjoy_acac9534-ec52-11ec-b101-3959f782ea002.3HealthcareLower costs and increase access to high-quality care_c53b499e-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea003HEALTHCARE FREEDOM | PUT PATIENTS IN CHARGE ~ Healthcare costs continue to skyrocket. Doctors and patients battle through bureaucratic red tape and one-size-fits-all Washington mandates. And even without Obamacare’s ill-advised expansion, Medicaid spending now outpaces state K-12 education costs and crowds out other important budget priorities... Let’s say “no” to more federal meddling and say “yes” to state-led innovations that lower costs and increase access to high-quality care.InnovationsProtect common sense innovations_c53b4a48-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea003.1Let’s protect growing, common sense innovations like Direct Primary Care that provide pricing transparency and put doctors and patients back in charge of healthcare decisions.PricingProvide pricing transparency_acac95e8-ec52-11ec-b101-3959f782ea003.1.1Decision MakingPut doctors and patients back in charge of healthcare decisions_acac9980-ec52-11ec-b101-3959f782ea003.1.2PatientsDoctorsMedicaidRein in Medicaid costs and better serve truly vulnerable people_acac9a52-ec52-11ec-b101-3959f782ea003.2Medicaid RecipientsVulnerable PeopleMedicaid must also be reformed and refocused to rein in costs and better serve the truly vulnerable people it was created to help.QOLEnsure that all South Carolinians have full access to the blessings of life, liberty, and the fruits of their own labor_c53b4b56-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea004South CaroliniansQUALITY OF LIFE ~ "Quality of life” means ensuring that all South Carolinians have full access to the blessings of life, liberty, and the fruits of their own labor. This means pursuing equal justice under the law and breaking down government-sponsored barriers to work wherever they exist…among many other important issues. We proudly stand for equal opportunity as the path to a free and flourishing South Carolina.JusticePursue equal justice under the law_c53b4c0a-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea004.1WorkBreak down government-sponsored barriers to work_acac9cb4-ec52-11ec-b101-3959f782ea004.2Tax & BudgetPair budget reforms with a new tax code_c53b4cdc-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea006TAX & BUDGET FREEDOM | FUND SOUTH CAROLINA’S FUTURE ~ South Carolina’s tax system is unfair, unstable and uncompetitive. The highest rates in the Southeast, complexity and special interest giveaways leave the little guy or gal footing more and more of the bill. Meanwhile, state and local spending grow unchecked. Let’s pair budget reforms with a new tax code that creates fairness for hardworking South Carolina citizens. This would provide stability to fund essential government services and spur economic growth that will create the jobs and opportunities of tomorrow. States around us are reaping the benefits of the tried and true pro-growth principles of a broad base and lower rates. South Carolina simply can’t afford to get left behind.BudgetReform the budget process_c53b4dfe-eb92-11ec-8e59-5f6e1383ea005.1TaxationMake the tax system fair, stable and competitive_acac9d9a-ec52-11ec-b101-3959f782ea005.22022-06-14https://palmettopromise.org/about/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net