Referendum slated for November
BY JASON HARDIN
Of The Post and Courier Staff
Charleston County Council voted Tuesday to approve the wording of a new half-cent sales tax referendum for this fall, this time without language that generated controversy in 2002 and led the S.C. Supreme Court to overturn the vote.
The instructions avoid the language that many critics seized on in 2002.
The 2002 voter instructions had stated, "All qualified electors desiring to vote in favor of the traffic congestion relief, safe roads, and clean water sales tax for the stated purposes shall vote 'YES.'"
Critics said the instructions were biased in favor of the tax, which narrowly passed. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the challengers, overturning the vote.
This time, the instructions say, "All qualified electors desiring to vote in favor of levying the special sales and use tax shall vote 'YES.'"
Councilman A.D. Jordan described the tax as a "high stakes" issue.
The tax increase would raise about $1.3 billion for roads, public transportation and green space. County officials have estimated it would cost the average resident about $31 annually.
Council also voted to postpone a 15 percent cap on property value increases until 2005, a move driven by legal and other uncertainties.
Some council members said they support a cap, but that it makes more sense to wait for the issues to be resolved.
Councilman Curtis Bostic called the delay a "very difficult decision."
Tax bills are set to be mailed out this fall, and it is not clear when the S.C. Supreme Court will rule on the cap's legality. Meanwhile, the General Assembly also recently passed a 20 percent statewide cap, which has not yet been signed by Gov. Mark Sanford, adding to the uncertainty.
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