AIKEN - While state legislators continue to grapple with the property tax reduction issue in Columbia, many Aiken County residents are ready for some type of relief.

Wanda B. Burkett, of Batesburg, said she gladly would swap lower property taxes for higher sales taxes.

"It would make it fair for people who rent who don't pay property taxes now, so I'm all for it," said Ms. Burkett, who was eating at a sidewalk table at cuiZine on Richland Avenue and Laurens Street in Aiken with her friends Carla Loftin and Lorilyn Smith.

Aiken resident Ms. Loftin, a recent homeowner, agreed.

"It's good that it's fair," she said. "Everybody pays."

Ditto for Ms. Smith.

"I'm pretty much all for it," she said. "I do have probably slight reservations not knowing how much they're going to increase sales tax."

Ms. Smith, who lives in North Augusta, also said a higher sales tax might persuade her to shop in Augusta.

"I actually try to buy in South Carolina now because it's lower," she said. "But all things being equal, I probably would (shop in Augusta) - large purchases, especially."

Shoppers at the North Augusta Wal-Mart also supported the idea of lowering property taxes.

"I think it'd be great. I think it would help the poorer folks out," said David James, of North Augusta. "We're going to pay taxes at the store regardless. I think it would be easier to pay a few cents extra there rather than in a lump sum."

Robert Dixon, who has lived in North Augusta since 1968, also favored raising sales taxes to offset a property tax reduction.

"I still think everybody would have to pay, and that would be good," he said.

However, he said, higher sales taxes in the Palmetto State would "absolutely not" entice him to shop in Augusta.

"I believe in supporting the hometown," he said.

Ms. Burkett said she would prefer to spend her money in her home state, too.

"Now with the price of gas, when you're traveling, you've got to balance it," she said.

Chris Glover, who bought a house in Beech Island last year, also said he would continue to shop in South Carolina even if the state had higher sales taxes than Georgia.

However, he did not think it was a good idea to trade one tax for another.

"If they raise sales tax and get away with property tax, it does no good," he said.

Reach Betsy Gilliland at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.