FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2018

SC Club for Growth Foundation Releases Legislative Scorecards
66% of Legislature Fails to Make the Fiscally Conservative Grade

Please note: Due to an error in scoring, some State House scores and grades were changed following the initial release of the scorecard. We apologize for the error.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Earlier today the South Carolina Club for Growth Foundation released its 2017 Interim Legislative Scorecards. Of the 170 lawmakers in the General Assembly, only 18 representatives and 12 senators scored well enough to earn an A or B from the Club. Sadly, the opposite end of the grading scale was well represented, with 112 legislators receiving F grades from the conservative educational organization.

Scorecards can be found by clicking here.

The South Carolina Club for Growth Foundation scored 10 House votes and 7 Senate votes from the 2017 legislative session, including votes on making the State Superintendent of Education an appointed, rather than elected, position, an internet sales tax increase, and the gas tax increase.

“Regular South Carolinians deserve to know what’s really happening in Columbia – and who can be trusted to look out for their best interests. From the VC Summer nuclear debacle to the ongoing ethics scandal, we’ve seen far too many politicians saying one thing at home and doing something else in Columbia,” said Club Chairman Dave Ellison. “Club for Growth’s scorecards tell the real story of who cares about reducing spending, conservative reforms, and other pro-growth issues.”

Scores are based on a thorough analysis of the thousands of votes taken last session with a focus on the budget process, government reform and restructuring, and pro or anti-growth policies.

A pro-growth vote received the maximum number of points, while a vote against the pro-growth position received no points. If a legislator went on record as abstaining from a vote – due to a conflict of interest – that vote was not factored into their total score.

The SC Club for Growth Foundation Scorecard only looks at votes on the floor of the Senate and House or Representatives. It does not take into consideration a legislator’s work outside of the chambers.

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