Republican State Legislators Rush to Limit Their Own Regulators
NYT Homepage
by David W. Chen and Tierney L. CrossFebruary 15, 2026
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South Carolina’s state legislature is among 17 predominantly Republican-led states pushing to limit regulatory powers amid significant shifts in energy, technology, and finance. This movement reflects a broader conservative effort to curtail government oversight, with the aim of fostering economic growth. Republican leaders argue that reducing bureaucratic control over businesses will stimulate innovation and job creation, aligning with their vision for a more deregulated economy.
The Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, under consideration in South Carolina, would subject state regulations costing at least $1 million to legislative review, effectively weakening agency authority. Similar bills are being proposed across the country, targeting industries like energy and environmental protection. These measures aim to shift power from unelected bureaucrats to elected officials, a stance supported by business owners like Gail Nicholls, who
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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/15/2026