AIKEN - The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce declared 2005 a banner year in the state Legislature for business.

Mark Sweatman, state governmental relations manager for the chamber, said eight of nine business-related bills were passed in the statehouse during the last legislative session.

"We probably had the best year we've ever had from a chamber standpoint," Mr. Sweatman told area businesspeople during a "grass-roots" luncheon meeting Thursday.

Mr. Sweatman was in Aiken as part of a statewide sweep to learn what local chamber members believe the state chamber should advocate for in Columbia in 2006.

Members of the Aiken County legislative delegation - Rep. Don Smith, R-North Augusta; Rep. Jim Stewart, R-Aiken, and Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken - were also present.

"There's a lot of marquee issues that you hear about and read about in the newspapers all the time.

"The main thing is to get here and hear you talk about some of the issues that aren't in the papers all the time," Mr. Smith said.

North Augusta Mayor Lark Jones began by urging caution as the Legislature again takes up property tax relief, an issue being pushed by legislators representing coastal communities with soaring property values.

"A big move is afoot for some kind of property tax relief," he said. "I do not think it's as near a problem in Aiken County."

Mr. Jones expressed concern that the right to levy property taxes could be taken from local governments, which are in the best position to know the needs of the local community.

"If that ability is eroded, then our effectiveness is eroded," Mr. Jones said.

Dr. Tom Hallman, the chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken, came out in favor of raising the state tax on tobacco to help resolve Medicaid underfunding.

"It seems to me a business decision to let the cost be borne this way," he said.

Reach J.C. Lexow at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or jc.lexow@augustachronicle.com.