COLUMBIA - A bill to lower your income tax rate has passed again in the South Carolina House, but it faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

The 2005 Income Tax Relief Act would cut state income taxes by nearly a third over a decade. The reduction would be from the current 7% to 4.75%. This bill closely resembles one that made it through the House last year, but was shot down by the Senate.

The bills' supporters in the Senate say they're ready for the fight this time. Critics say the state can't afford the cut, which could cost nearly a billion dollars. Republican Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman says he wants to investigate how cutting income taxes would affect the state's entire tax code.

"We know you don't raise the standard of living by raising taxes," House Speaker David Wilkins said.  "Instead you cut taxes, get government out of the way, and let the private sector do what it does best - create jobs and opportunity.  This bill is aimed at increasing our per capita income and expanding our employment base."

Income tax relief has been touted as the top item on Governor Mark Sanford's Contract for Change agenda.

Some reporting by the Associated Press