Observations (pdf)

By Robert W. Oldendick

Property Taxes, School Funding, and Property Tax Relief in South Carolina (pdf)

By Holley H. Ulbrich

In this article, Professor Ulbrich discusses the South Carolina property tax. She distinguishes the tax from the other primary forms of state taxation—sales and income—and points out its significance in relation to school finance. Dr. Ulbrich further reviews the property tax relief movement and its related issues honing in on the swap of sales taxes for school property taxes.

A Case Study of Public Attitudes toward Taxation in Anderson County, South Carolina (pdf)

By Scott H. Huffmon, Adam C. Smith, and Jeremy D. Winkler

This article reviews the issues relating to public opinion and taxation by looking at a particular case in Anderson County, South Carolina. Specifically, the authors examine attitudes regarding an increase in taxes to provide additional funds to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department. This examination is based on a survey conducted in late April and early May of 2005.

An Overview: Poverty in America with Some Focus on South Carolina (pdf)

Richard D. Young

This article is an abbreviated version of a more extensive working paper on poverty in America and South Carolina. Mr. Young examines the context of poverty as it relates to current statistics and conditions, causation, and governmental responses. Mr. Young also presents the findings of a recent survey on how Americans view poverty in the U.S.

Facilitating Organizational Learning: A New Approach for South Carolina Local Government (pdf)

By Anna Berger and Bill Tomes

The authors present an overview of the Local Government Service Delivery Forums conducted by USC’s Institute for Public Service and Policy Research. Based on the concept of organizational learning, the Institute has initiated a series of forums where local government officials participate in structured dialogues centered on service area issues and data, and best practices. The purposes of the forums are to enable local managers to explore and understand work processes and conditions that explain performance and the possibility of innovations.

Around the Institute (pdf)

By Edwin C. Thomas

This article highlights some of the Institute’s current programs, studies, and activities.