Arson ruled in Greenville hotel fire that killed 6

CRIME

GREENVILLE - The fire that killed six people and injured 12 here in January has been ruled arson, the Greenville County sheriff's office said. Sheriff's Sgt. Shea Smith would not discuss the evidence Wednesday that led to the arson ruling because the case is still under investigation."There are no real suspects," Smith said.

A fire reconstruction by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms could provide new information on who might have set the blaze, Smith said. There is no timetable for that report.

The State Law Enforcement Division is also investigating the fire.

The fire broke out Jan. 25 at the Comfort Inn. The hotel, built in the 1980s, was not required to have sprinklers and did not have them. -- ASSOCIATED PRESS

Small businesses back plan to reduce income tax

GOVERNMENT

COLUMBIA -- Small business advocates on Thursday urged the Senate to approve Gov. Mark Sanford's plan to reduce the state's income tax.

Sanford wants to cut the state's top income tax rate to 4.75 percent from 7 percent during the next decade, a move that ultimately puts more money in the pockets of small-business owners, the governor said.

"Small business is a brutally competitive market place and one or two points is a big deal to a small business," Sanford said.

Hunter Howard, president and CEO of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, said the tax relief puts small businesses on a level playing field with larger companies.

"This tax cut will be the catalyst for spurring economic growth in the state," Howard said.

The plan already sailed through the House with Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, as a driving force. But the bill still faces a tough battle among senators who say there are other priorities in a tight budget year. -- ASSOCIATED PRESS