Posted on Wed, Apr. 12, 2006

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Debate on property tax reform begins

“If there are 300 million people in the United States, 296 million want to live in South Carolina. The other four million already do.”

— Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, describing migration to the S.C. coast that is driving up property values — and taxes.

TODAY AT THE STATE HOUSE

For a complete list of legislative meetings, go to http://www.scstatehouse.net/ and click on the “Meetings” link.

IN THE HOUSE: Meets next on Tuesday, April 18

IN THE SENATE: Convenes at noon. At 11 a.m., 308 Gressette Building, the Banking and Insurance Committee will discuss consumer identity theft.

THE DAILY BUZZ

JUST SAY NO

Sports metaphors are played out, so The Buzz appreciates help where we can get it.

Tuesday, the assist came from Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, whose use of a game show metaphor during floor debate of the property tax bill, well, played right into our hands.

McConnell likened his choice between a Senate Finance Committee compromise plan and the original House approach to that of a contestant on NBC’s “Deal or No Deal.”

“If it’s no deal to you,” McConnell said, “we’ll take the House deal.”

For those stuck in the 1970s and earlier, the popular game show is not to be confused with “Let’s Make a Deal,” of Monty Hall fame.

“Deal or No Deal” features 26 briefcases with varying amounts of cash, with contestants picking one to keep.

But while there are no briefcases held by models at the State House, the General Assembly does have a Howie Mandel look-alike.

But, Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Horry, and his shaved head are on Easter vacation this week.

MORE ON THE WEB

What you can find online at thestate.com

• Our inside look at the 2006 General Assembly. Online items include how to track bills, a list of important dates, story lines to watch and profiles of key lawmakers.

• YGA Today, midday news from inside the State House, is updated several times each legislative day.

• Our searchable list of state employee salaries for workers earning more than $50,000 a year

A QUICK SPIN AROUND THE STATE HOUSE

The Senate began debate on a statewide property tax reform, with Lowcountry lawmakers pushing for more tax relief for homeowners.

The plan being debated would raise the state sales tax a penny on the dollar. Half the money collected would be used to pay the school portion of personal vehicles taxes. The rest of the money would go toward property tax relief on owner-occupied homes, part of it through a circuit breaker to assist those according to their ability to pay their taxes.

The Senate bill is a carefully constructed compromise to draw rural and urban support. But Charleston-area lawmakers set the stage for today’s debate, working for more concessions.

Sens. Glenn McConnell and Chip Campsen argued the plan does not help those pinched by spiraling real estate prices — and therefore higher taxes.

Lawmakers expect dozens of amendments during debate today, including plans that would allow each county to raise their sales tax to fund property tax relief.

In addition, Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Berkeley, said he would introduce an amendment that would remove all school operating taxes, with a $2.4 billion price tag. To fund it, Grooms’ plan would raise the sales tax by two cents, raise cigarette taxes to $1 per pack, increase the maximum tax on car sales to $900 and triple the tax on beer, wine and alcohol. The plan also would assess a state property tax on all property except owner-occupied homes.

McConnell expected that Senate debate on property tax reform would stretch late into the evening on Wednesday.

• Committee tackles budget work

The Senate Finance committee began work on the budget Tuesday, plowing through rules dictating how state funds must be spent.

Today the committee will begin allocating dollars to programs.

Among the most significant changes the Senate made was removing a cap on tuition increases at state colleges imposed by the House. In addition, the Senate removed rules added by the House that would cap budget increases and put the extra money into a savings account.

Finance chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, expected the committee to wrap up budget work this week.

PLAYING FOOTBALL

A House-passed resolution seeking to move the state high school football championships beyond USC’s Williams-Brice Stadium was introduced in the Senate.

House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Cooper, R-Anderson, introduced the resolution asking the state High School League to schedule the games at facilities with a comparable seating capacity.

That would point to Clemson, where Memorial Stadium has a capacity of 81,473. The capacity of Williams-Brice Stadium is 80,250.

Concurrent resolutions express the sense of the General Assembly and do not have the force of law.