Time is growing short for the state Senate to vote on proposals that could lead to a big cut in property taxes.

Senators hope to get to at least one proposal before the legislative session ends June 3, but there’s no consensus on which of several plans dealing with the issue offers the best solution to escalating property taxes.

They have agreed to debate a bill sponsored by Rep. Vida Miller, D-Georgetown, that would limit the amount counties could increase property values for tax purposes to 20 percent.

But many lawmakers have concerns about that bill; several say they still could be tinkering with property tax reform next year.

The end result may be a merger of two or more plans.

“If (that’s) going to happen, you’ve got to have time to combine proposals,” said Sen. David Thomas, R-Greenville, who sponsored a bill that would eliminate property tax on homes and vehicles and replace it with a 2 percent sales tax increase.

Legislators began the year saying recent property revaluations in several counties had voters clamoring for property tax reform.

Property taxes are a primary way local governments raise money. They make up a third of school operating budgets.

Local governments say property taxes are going up partly to meet state requirements, and they need the flexibility to raise money.

But critics say property taxes are rising too fast.

“Something needs to be done to address the escalating weight of taxes on real property,” said Michael Dey, a lobbyist for the S.C. Realtors Association.

Miller’s bill, which has bipartisan support, passed the House earlier this year and likely will be debated on the Senate floor soon.

Sen. John Land, D-Clarendon, and others think Miller’s bill could pass, but few are thrilled with the plan.

Some, such as Thomas, say Miller’s bill doesn’t do enough. Others, including Land, worry it would actually hurt those property owners legislators say they want to help, since capping reassessments would shift the tax burden to people whose homes haven’t increased in value as much.

Several legislators say they fear property taxes are rising so fast, people will be forced out of their homes, but Land said the only people calling him asking for reform are owners of second homes at the beach.

Even if Miller’s plan is approved this year, there is a movement to combine Thomas’ plan to eliminate property taxes with another proposal by Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Kershaw, and Rep. Rick Quinn, R-Richland.

Known as the Quinn-Sheheen plan, the proposal would remove all responsibility for paying for schools from local governments and give it to the state. It also would pay for schools using sales taxes, abandoning property taxes as a way of funding day-to-day school operations.

Sheheen plans to introduce a version of the plan in the Senate in the next week or so.

Quinn and Sheheen said they were open to merging their plan with Thomas’. Each has talked of holding public hearings around the state to educate voters about the idea and to get their opinions.

Thomas also wants a referendum to ask voters whether they support replacing property taxes with another tax.

Reach Talhelm at (803) 771-8339 or jtalhelm@thestate.com