State Sen. Glenn McConnell needs to keep an open mind as he seeks public input on property tax reform.

But instead, the powerful president pro tempore of the Senate has staked out his position, which appears to be a declaration of war against local governments. And while urging people to participate in public hearings set up this summer on state tax reform, McConnell seems to be telling people what to say. He wants people to come drown out the voices of the municipal and county governments, which depend on the property tax to pay for local public services.

In a special column printed on this page today, McConnell says, "One of the cruelest taxes of all, the property tax, is long overdue for reform or even extinguishment in South Carolina."

He says he hopes that the voices of the people from the mountains to the coast can drown out the paid lobbyists for local governments.

But the voices of the local governments need to be heard. These are the governments closest to the people. Would a Hilton Head Island resident call McConnell in Charleston to get mosquitoes sprayed or a stray dog picked up or a new building inspected in our community? No. McConnell has different duties, and we ask that he respect the duties that the local governments are asked to carry out.

It's easy to call supporters of local government "termites" and claim towns, counties and schools "spend our money like they have a blank check." But it is not easy for local governments to provide all the services the public demands, whether it is schools, parks, planning, solid waste disposal or public safety. And any changes to the current tax scheme would have rippling effects with broad ramifications. All those nuances, and their effect on local communities, need to be understood completely and debated with open minds.

Property taxes are the whipping boy because property values have increased dramatically, here and around the nation. If citizens are upset about local governments "writing blank checks," they already have someone to turn to -- the local people they elect to serve them. They can complain to the local mayor or county council member about the tax rate, but the open marketplace sets the value of property.

McConnell lists a number of different proposals or options on the table to reform state taxation. Encouraging the public to pay attention and give input on those ideas is commendable. So is the effort by the legislature to study taxation in a broader, deliberative way before the next legislative session in January.

But anyone can cry out for property tax relief. It is harder to figure out an equitable way to deal with that lost revenue. Everyone needs to keep an open mind.