(Columbia-AP) March 1, 2004 - Legislators have filed more than 170 bills to change the state's tax laws to reduce some taxes and increase others.

Governor Mark Sanford has made several tax cut proposals. He offered one last week that would reduce income taxes. He also proposed giving parents tax breaks when they send their children to private schools.

Hopkins Senator Darrell Jackson says it's normal to have tax cut proposals during an election year, but Jackson doesn't think many of the proposals will make it through the General Assembly.

The House this week takes up two bills that limit local governments' ability to increase tax collections by reassessing real estate values.

The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to approve Sanford's plan to cut the state's top income tax rate from seven percent to 4.75 percent.

posted 7:46am by Chris Rees