Date Published: September 19, 2006   

Barber dislikes taxes, but won't immediately dismiss an increase

By SEANNA ADCOX
Associated Press Writer

Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Robert Barber said Tuesday he's against tax increases but would consider the specifics of a proposal and not dismiss it automatically.

"I run a small business, so I'm well aware of the burden of taxes," said Barber, owner of the Bowens Island Restaurant near Folly Beach, which his grandparents opened in the 1940s. "I'm not going to be absolute about it, no. ... But I certainly don't have any enthusiasm for raising taxes."

Incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has made his tax-blocking efforts a focus of his re-election campaign. In ads aired before the June primary, Bauer boasted he "single-handedly blocked over one-and-a-half billion dollars in proposed new taxes" while presiding over the state Senate. Presiding over the chamber is a chief responsibility for the office.

Barber, a former minister, state House member and lobbyist, believes the General Assembly needs to take a comprehensive look at the state's tax structure. While he will benefit from the property tax law passed this year, which is expected to knock roughly 60 percent off a homeowner's tax bill and raise the state sales tax by a penny, he would have preferred a complete tax reform package. Business leaders complain the new tax law will shift the tax burden to them.

"In general, I'm not in favor of more taxes," Barber said. As for raising the state cigarette tax, "that's different," he added. "I like that."

South Carolina's cigarette tax is the nation's lowest at 7 cents a pack. Barber would like it raised to the national average of 92 cents per pack, "or whatever would be acceptable."

Studies show "young people are less inclined to get engaged in tobacco products if they're more expensive," Barber said. He would prefer extra revenue generated from cigarette sales be used for health care.

Proposals to raise the state's cigarette tax to help pay for health programs, tax cuts and small business medical insurance died in a House committee this year.