COLUMBIA--The lieutenant governor cast a rare, tie-breaking vote in the Senate on Tuesday to force floor debate on a constitutional amendment that would curb property taxes increases.

The amendment, which could be on the ballot in November 2006, says counties can't use higher property values to raise tax bills until a home is sold.

Senate leaders argued that the legislation should stay in the Senate Judiciary Committee. They also said a special panel would work out plans to drastically cut taxes homeowners pay.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, said he supports cutting property taxes. But he opposed the speed that others are applying to that goal.

And he didn't like the fact that he and others were being put on the record voting against the fast-tracking efforts.

"All of us are for property tax relief," Leatherman said. But the legislation can't go anywhere before the June 2 adjournment, he said. "Those who are doing this, you really ought to be ashamed of yourself," Leatherman said.

Sen. Scott Richardson, R-Hilton Head Island, said he was "not going to be chastised for making a motion" to get the constitutional amendment up for debate. "This is the number one issue by a long shot in my district. And I'm going to vote for it."

Shortly afterward, the Senate voted 21-21 vote on the constitutional amendment.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer used his tie-breaking vote to bring the bill out to the Senate floor.

It's unclear when the legislation could come up for a vote in the Senate. Even then, the House requires a two-thirds vote to consider the bill.