The South Carolina House easily passed Tuesday afternoon the 2005 Jobs Creation Act. After a routine final reading Wednesday, the bill goes over to the Senate.

The bill would offer state tax credits to some small businesses that create new jobs. Originally, the bill offered the credits only to companies that hired at least 10 new people. That was then lowered to 5 so that more companies would qualify. On the floor of the House, the bill was then amended to require just 2 new jobs being created for a business to get the tax credits.

House Majority Whip Rep. Shirley Hinson, R-Goose Creek, shepherded the bill through the House. "It should make a difference," she says. "If people will take advantage of what the state of South Carolina is trying to do for them, yes, it absolutely should make a difference. It should grow business. It should bring new dollars into our state and those dollars should stay here."

Hal Stevenson, owner of a Columbia business with 13 employees, says, "It would certainly be a factor in hiring more people. Obviously, you've got to look at what your business is going to do and you've got to look at a lot of factors. But I would say that it will have a significant influence on hiring more people."

The bill also offers tax credits for investing in new companies, and encourages investment in high-tech start-up companies. It also offers tax credits to encourage small businesses to provide their employees with medical insurance.

"This is like family around here," Stevenson says. "People become very close and it really is a very positive environment. And to have the government recognize the importance of that environment, I think, is very exciting."