BY DAVID QUICK AND WARREN WISE
Of The Post And Courier Staff
COLUMBIA – The battle over car taxes intensified Wednesday as Republican leaders painted the effort to delay passage of legislation as partisan politics.
Charleson Democrat Sen. Ernie Passailaigue held his ground on the plan’s consequences.
Meanwhile, the House voted to put similar legislation on the fast track by moving it out of committee and onto the floor today.
Before the Senate took up the issue Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Bob Peeler held a press conference to underscore a mandate by voters last November. More than 84 percent voted to reduce property taxes on personal motor vehicles from a 10.5 percent assessment to a 6 percent assessment over the next six years.
“The walls of the Statehouse are thick, but the voters’ voices were so loud and clear this past November, I did not think anyone would have trouble getting the message on car tax relief,” said Peeler, noting that the state’s car tax is the second highest in the country.
Peeler said the tax costs a family of four with a $25,000 income an average of $524 a year.
Republican Sens. John Courson of Columbia and Joe Wilson of West Columbia joined Peeler and characterized Passailaigue’s efforts as delaying tactics by Democrats.
“Gee, someone must have a brain cramp on this one because this is something the people want,” Courson said.
Passailaigue held the floor of the Senate for most of Wednesday, reiterating that the car tax plan is not tax relief but a shift to homeowners.
The car tax plan’s companion legislation is a bill allowing counties to charge up to 2 percent more in sales taxes to replace car tax revenue. More than 65 percent of voters in November said it was OK. County councils would have to get voter approval to raise the sales tax.
But, Passailaigue said, rural counties would have to charge a higher sales tax to offset car tax losses than neighboring urban counties. That would create a competitive disadvantage for businesses in rural countes as consumers seek out businesses with lower sales tax rates.
Rep. Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, who is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, wants the House to move quickly to send a message to the Senate.
“For a senator to hold it up ignores the will of the voters,” he said.