Today, those for real relief realized that true reform is dead. The bill is still the local option and moves the bill to conference committee. If this legislation dies in conference committee, it may be a good thing. The last members in the crows nest as the ship sunk were: Campsen, Grooms, Hutto, Reece, Ryberg, Sheheen, Short, Verdin, & myself. The bill passed unanimously, but my quandary is this: Do I enter a “nay” vote in the journal for principles sake? I decided to vote “nay” on the bill and “aye” on the constitutional amendment. Below is the statement recorded in the journal:

The only positive achievement of this legislation is that it succeeds in moving the debate forward to a conference committee. It alone provides little hope that property taxes will decline anytime in the near future. Indeed, this legislation simply passes the buck to the local level where, ironically, the only change in property taxes over the last several years has been their dramatic increase. We remain extremely frustrated at our inability to provide real, meaningful, across the board property tax relief to homeowners in South Carolina. We hope that the conference committee will report out legislation that does.

Duke (to Apollo about a rematch with Rocky) “He’s all wrong for us. I saw you beat that man like I never saw no man get beat before, and the man kept coming after you. Now we don’t need no man like that…” Rocky II

Last week I thought real reform was dead, but low and behold there is still a twinkling of a chance for relief. A motion to reconsider has a chance to pass on Tuesday. Senate rules don’t allow amendments on 3rd reading, but a motion to reconsider puts the bill back on 2nd reading. It reminds me of the first house that Ann & I lived in on Millgate St. in Anderson. We had some shrubs (red tips) that we tried to cut down. If you’ve every tried to kill red tips, then you know what I mean. They’re not dead until you dig & dig & dig the roots out. Will the Grooms plan surive? Again, I’m doubtful, but stay tuned!

After nearly a dozen tabling motions to kill any chance of property tax relief, it was clear that the Knotts and Grooms amendments were dead in the SC Senate. Since true reform is now just a dream, I held my nose and voted for the bill. Close to 9pm Thursday night the Senate passed a local option sales tax as described previously. This bill will now go to conference committee consisting of 3 Senate members and 3 House members. They work out the details, then send a bill to the Governor. Could the committee craft a measure similar to the House’s version? Possible, but doubtful. I supported all measures in the direction of property tax relief, yet I was on the losing side each time. You may be interested in this citizen’s group www.nohometax.org

As I’ve stated before, my favorite plan has been drafted by Sen. Larry Grooms. This plan is a comprehensive overhaul of school funding in addition to property tax relief. It was evident that the proposal was very close to getting killed Wednesday night, so we voted to adjourn to give one last shot on Thursday for passage. The plan was tabled today. There were concerns with the establishment of a state wide property tax on commercial property set at 75 mills, however, the average commercial mill is 150, therefore on average, commercial property taxes would be cut in 1/2.
So far, the only proposal to pass the Senate was a plan that allows local government to eliminate property taxes and replace with a sales tax. I am not opposed to this, however, it is not near the relief we are so desperate for. If the local government does not act on this, a petition will require signatures of 7% of registered voters instead of the normal 15%.
I opposed one local option amendment that had a constitutional issue because it would require the bill to need 2/3 votes. That would kill the property tax bill entirely.

Pictured is the Gadsden Flag. Written of the rattlesnake on the revolutionary flag: “She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage…she never wounds ’till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her.”

The house plan that removed school operating expenses from homes, but did nothing for commercial, was tabled today. The only reform that has a chance to pass is the Local Option. Grooms is working on another plan, however, so we’ll see if he gains support. Maybe the Groom Broom will become the Groom Swifer!

This plan will allow County Councils to give the voters of each county the choice of a sales tax increase to offset property taxes on homes. Currently, the plan only involves school operating expenses and does not include commercial property.There is one good aspect of the local option: Anderson County can fund school operation with a .9¢ sales tax. There are additional amendments that will be considered, to tweak this plan. Ever heard of the legislation process compared to the making of sausage? Stay tuned!