Property tax moves to back burner

Senators agree to resume debate after they deal with the state budget

By JOHN O’CONNOR

johnoconnor@thestate.com

The Senate called a timeout from its property tax debate Thursday, as conflicting plans produced many questions and no answers.

The body agreed to put the issue on hold for a week in order to pass the budget, but leaders pledged to work on nothing else after that until tax reform is approved.

On the sixth day of debate, senators felt they were chasing their tails, arguing similar plans over and over again. As the day wore on, some began to show signs of frustration.

“We’re still scattered like a shotgun,” said Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, the majority leader.

When it became clear the Senate was not going to reach an agreement, leadership took the unusual step of calling a 15-minute recess. At that point, most of the 46 senators gathered in the middle of the well and agreed to call off debate until May 2.

Next week, senators will deal with the budget, as well as Senate bills that need to be sent to the House before a May 1 crossover deadline. After May 1, a bill sent from one chamber needs a two-thirds vote in the other chamber just to be heard.

The break, said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, will allow senators a chance to work out details in each of their plans and, perhaps, find some consensus in the weeks-long debate.

“When the Senate has had enough of the debate, it will come together and find a solution,” McConnell said. “It has not had enough of this debate.”

McConnell said it became clear that in the rush to get something approved this week, lawmakers were “cobbling” together amendments that might create more problems than they solved.

Some senators objected to ending debate, believing they could use the budget as leverage to force a vote on property tax reform.

The Senate did vote to accept a so-called “local option” plan as its lead option Thursday. That plan would allow each county to vote to raise its sales tax to pay for property tax relief.

Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8358.