Legislators take tax agenda to Columbia

Associated Press
Published January 11, 2006

COLUMBIA -- The General Assembly returned to work Tuesday with a long election-year agenda aimed at reducing taxes and increasing funding for early childhood education.

The House and Senate were gaveled into session just after noon.

For months before the session began, legislators have been working out details on raising the state's sales tax by 2 cents on the dollar to reduce levies on homes. They'll likely spend the next couple of months resolving differences in exactly how those property tax breaks will work.

Not far behind that issue will be the Legislature's reaction to a judge's ruling on shortcomings in state funding for early childhood education and proposals to overhaul the state's Medicaid and workers' compensation systems.

House Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews, said job creation should rank above all other issues. South Carolina's unemployment rate is ranked third nationwide, behind only hurricane-ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi.

"We've got to beef up the Department of Commerce," he said.

House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island, agreed.

"I think there will be an effort to give the Department of Commerce all the tools it needs," he said.

Ott disagreed with aspects of House Republicans' property tax proposal but said Democrats want property tax relief, too. "At the end of the day, we will have property tax relief," Ott said.

Tax, biker groups rally

People from tax and biker groups gathered in the Statehouse lobby, hoping to emphasize what they want this year.

As many as 400 people from property tax groups wore stickers and tea bags, referencing the Boston Tea Party, and called for eliminating taxes on homes.

"We feel like it's tea time again," said Don Bowen, who lives in Anderson and is chairman of the Upstate chapter of NoHomeTax.org.

"We want permanent reform," Bowen said. "We want our property back."

Legislators mostly agree that raising the state's sales tax to 7 percent from 5 percent is the best way to pay for the breaks. "We really feel like we've got the momentum," Bowen said.

Rep. Bobby Harrell started his first session as speaker. "I'm excited, looking forward to this and a little bit nervous," the Charleston Republican told GOP caucus members before the session started.

He told Republicans he was nervous enough about his debut with the speaker's gavel that he held a practice session. "I had this vision of me getting up there and banging the gavel three times and saying, 'The House will come to order' and look around and say, 'OK, now what do I do?' "

Harrell predicted his style would be more relaxed than former Speaker David Wilkins, who resigned to become the U.S. ambassador to Canada.

After swearing in new members, Harrell took off the purple speaker's robe.

Harrell was given a standing ovation and the new speaker introduced his wife, children, parents, other relatives and even some neighbors who were watching from the gallery.

Lawmakers also recognized Cathy Harvin, who was sitting in the gallery, but expected to join the House in February. Harvin is running unopposed in a special election to fill the seat held by her late husband, Alex.

Rep. Jim McGee, R-Florence, announced to fellow Republicans before the session started that he would not seek re-election in November.

"It's time for a change," said McGee, first elected a decade ago. He added, jokingly, "I'll probably be the most dangerous man in the Legislature because I don't care what people say."

The legislative session runs through the first Thursday in June.

User Comments

No comments have been posted on this article. Be the first to comment.

Don't get the Herald-Journal delivered to your home? Click here for a special offer

©2006 Spartanburg Herald-Journal | Staff directory