Senate campaigning highlights partnerships, tax plan

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DeMint, a third-term congressman from Greenville, spoke at Greenville Technical Charter High School, joined by corporate sponsors, parents and students.

"When businesses partner with local schools, students and communities benefit," DeMint said.

"Involving communities in education is one of the best ways we can ensure decisions and dollars are controlled at the local level (and) prepare our children for jobs of the future."

DeMint used the appearance to promote a bill he has introduced to encourage individuals and businesses to receive tax credits when they donate to any kindergarten through 12th grade school, whether public, private, charter or home school.

Individuals, including teachers who pay for classroom supplies, would be allowed up to a $500 tax credit, $1,000 filing jointly, and businesses up to $100,000.

Tenenbaum, the state's education superintendent, launched a new television ad Monday and brought in Democratic U.S. Rep. John M. Spratt Jr. of York to criticize DeMint's support for a national sales tax.

Responding to DeMint's Greenville appearance, Kay Packett, Tenenbaum's campaign spokesman, said he has voted against education — "all the things we need to improve our schools, while Inez has been on the ground working — and making very strong progress in raising student achievement."

Tenenbaum's ad features her in a supermarket giving her assessment of the impact of the proposed 23 percent tax on all goods and services.

Although DeMint has referred to the plan as a big idea, Tenenbaum says in the ad, "Not all big ideas are good ideas."

In a conference call with reporters, Spratt said even with monthly rebates on the first $25,000 of income, the plan would be a net tax increase for everyone earning less than $100,000.

DeMint said Monday it would be revenue-neutral and reiterated that he has never supported tax increases and said that because all taxes, including Social Security, would be repealed, price would fall, lowering the sales tax bite.

But his Democratic colleague said such explanations are aimed at distracting consumers from "what it is, a hugely regressive piece of legislation that probably wouldn't replace the revenues it claims it would."

Tenenbaum has proposed making permanent President Bush's tax cuts for the middle class, including expanding the 10 percent bracket, doubling the child tax credit, and eliminating the marriage penalty.

While Tenenbaum continued to attack the sales tax issue, DeMint put his own "truth squad" on the road to explain his "consistent record of cutting taxes and pushing to reform the existing tax code," his campaign said.

The group held press conferences in the Midlands and Lowcountry.

"It's time that voters know the truth that Jim DeMint has a proven record of cutting taxes and eliminating government waste," said Charleston developer Thomas Ravenel, who unsuccessfully sought the Senate nomination.

In addition to Ravenel, the group included U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, state Reps. Catherine Ceips and Skipper Perry, Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform, Tom Schatz of Citizens Against Government Waste PAC, Matt Kibbe of Freedom Works PAC and Charlie Condon, another 2004 Senate primary candidate.

Former President George H.W. Bush will help raise money today for DeMint in Florence at the home of Eddie Floyd, a major fund-raiser for the current Bush White House.

The $5,000-per-couple event is open only to ticket holders.

The senior Bush carried South Carolina with 62 percent in 1988 and 48 percent in 1992 when he lost the White House to Bill Clinton.

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Dan Hoover covers politics and can be reached at 298-4883.