Down at Boys' State in Columbia, the majority's got a package of tax bills moving that will reduce taxes on businesses, vacation homes, and everyone except the state's poorest residents. They'll get a tax increase.
“No matter how you go about tax reform, there are going to be winners and losers,” said state Rep. Garry R. Smith, R-Greenville, a member of the subcommittee that approved the bill.
Basically, the state GOP is following the old Grover Norquist dictum of cutting government down to a size where you can strangle it in the bathtub. Only- being the brave souls they are- they're punting the actual strangling part to their county and city level compadres in the party:
Together, the bills would translate into a more than a $1 billion property tax cut for businesses. But that cut also would mean local governments – counties, cities and school districts – would have $1 billion less to operate on.
“You will see (local tax) increases to offset the losses,” said Robert Croom, deputy general counsel for the S.C. Association of Counties. “If they (local governments) can’t make up enough to make up for the loss, you will see significant service cuts.”
But Rep. Stringer said communities would see a local tax increase “only if the voters allow that to happen.”
“I mean, each of these counties have a County Council,” which can be voted out of office, he said.
“No matter how you go about tax reform, there are going to be winners and losers,” said state Rep. Garry R. Smith, R-Greenville, a member of the subcommittee that approved the bill.
Basically, the state GOP is following the old Grover Norquist dictum of cutting government down to a size where you can strangle it in the bathtub. Only- being the brave souls they are- they're punting the actual strangling part to their county and city level compadres in the party:
Together, the bills would translate into a more than a $1 billion property tax cut for businesses. But that cut also would mean local governments – counties, cities and school districts – would have $1 billion less to operate on.
“You will see (local tax) increases to offset the losses,” said Robert Croom, deputy general counsel for the S.C. Association of Counties. “If they (local governments) can’t make up enough to make up for the loss, you will see significant service cuts.”
But Rep. Stringer said communities would see a local tax increase “only if the voters allow that to happen.”
“I mean, each of these counties have a County Council,” which can be voted out of office, he said.
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