A bill I\u2019ve introduced (S. 228) sets a timetable for property tax assessment notices. In the spirit of transparency\u00a0and open\u00a0government you may agree with me on this legislation. The taxpayer should get his\/her information at the front end of the budgeting process instead of the backend. In order for a local government to pass a budget, the taxpayer should get the assessment notice first, especially in re-assessment years. Since different counties in the state may have different fiscal years, we decided to set the timeframe in relation to the fiscal year instead of a calendar date. This scheduling method is open for discussion, however. The way the schedule doesn\u2019t concern me as much as the order of when taxes are billed, collected, and spent.<\/span><\/p>\n For example, currently, a county can pass a budget, then send out property tax bills, then lastly send out property assessments leaving the taxpayer in the dark as long as possible. I\u2019m not accusing anyone of these intentions, but S. 228 will clear up any controversy. As it\u2019s been said many times \u201cSunshine is the best disinfectant\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n S. 228 will get a hearing in the Senate Finance sub-committee on property taxes on Tuesday, January 27th in room 228 of the Gressette building at 2:15pm. In Senate sub-committee\u2019s the public is invited to speak and join the debate. We\u2019d love for you to come. If you can\u2019t, post your comments here!\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n South Carolina General Assembly<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 118th Session, 2009-2010<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n S. 228<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n STATUS INFORMATION –\u00a0General Bill –\u00a0Sponsors: Senator Bryant –\u00a0Summary: Millage rate 12\/17\/2008 <\/span>Senate <\/span>Prefiled VERSIONS OF THIS BILL<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 12\/17\/2008<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"babysteps\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kevinbryant.com\/kbarchive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/babysteps1.jpg?resize=150%2C150\" "\\"babysteps\\"")
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\nHISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n12\/17\/2008 <\/span>Senate <\/span>Referred to Committee on Finance
\n1\/13\/2009 <\/span>Senate <\/span>Introduced and read first time SJ\u2011188
\n1\/13\/2009 <\/span>Senate <\/span>Referred to Committee on Finance<\/strong> SJ\u2011188
\nView the latest <\/span>legislative information<\/span><\/a> at the LPITS web site<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n