Senate pre-filings include tax changes

December 5, 2005

If you read Monday's edition, you may have caught our view of a bill pre-filed by state Sen. Luke Rankin in anticipation of the Jan. 10, 2006, opening of the legislative session.

It wasn't one we were climbing on board to support.

Mr. Rankin wants to make organ donation automatic with a new or renewed S.C. driver's license, unless the applicant signs a paper stating otherwise.

Others might be more appealing to the average voter:

n One is a referendum for a change in the state constitution that would affect county tax assessments. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, would call for property reassessments only at the time the property changes hands.

It's sure to be popular with the populace, but there are a few drawbacks that should be considered.

First and most obvious is the revenue stream that could get stagnant, especially in areas that experience less mobility than others. It's this revenue that provides major support for public schools and we don't expect the state will rush forward to pick up the slack. And remember, what the state giveth, the state taketh away. If property taxes are made a thing of the past, as some lawmakers advocate, look for another tax bite in your future.

Another consideration is what would surely be an above-average reassessment if a property is sold after a long time under one owner, to catch up with current property values. This could be detrimental to younger purchasers, especially first-time buyers.

Another pre-filing proposal could be advantageous to wallets statewide.

n Sen. Dick Elliott, D-North Myrtle Beach, would broaden price-gouging laws when a state of emergency is declared in another state, according to an Associated Press report. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, filed a similar bill in the House.

We'll reserve final judgment on this one, but considering recent experiences associated with fuel costs after Hurricane Katrina, on the surface it sounds like a good idea. We wrote then and we maintain still that price gouging is not just unfair; it's bad business.

n Mr. Rankin redeems himself somewhat with a bill that would create statewide pre-kindergarten. Early childhood education for all South Carolina children is a fine and needed goal; the only drawback is Mr. Rankin has no estimate of the cost. While pre-filing does allow time to come up with more details on the funding of this worthy proposal, it could scare some lawmakers off if he isn't well-prepared when the session does open.

n The final pre-filed bill profiled by the AP is one from Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, which would allow the governor discretion in lowering flags at state buildings. Mr. Harrell filed a similar bill in the House.

Gov. Mark Sanford, who took a lot of heat for not following the federal example and lowering the Statehouse flag when civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks died, said it was because at the time he didn't have the authority to do so. In an e-mail we received Dec. 1, he was said to have applauded the legislation and would "lower the state's flags to honor (Parks) the day he signs legislation granting him that discretion."

Whether we get more Christmas bills than bills that actually make it into law come January, like legislation itself, is up for debate. But you can be sure property tax will certainly be at the top of every lawmaker's list.

It is, after all, an election year.

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