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Point of sale sent home to committee

February 11, 2010 By

Tax break legislation designed to spur commercial property sales and economic growth never got off the ground in the South Carolina Senate.

The amendment would have eliminatede additional taxes at the point of sale on second homes, businesses and commercial real estate for any sales this year, and would have redced taxes from the purchase price in 2011 and following years by 20 percent. The tax exemption compromise was sent back to the Senate Finance Committee Thursday, after it failed Wednesday to get the 31 votes needed by four votes. Pickens County Republican Larry Martin says it may be dead for the year.  But on the Senate floor he indicated that he wanted it to retain its status of only needing a final reading, in case it’s called back from committee.

Local governments and school districts stand to loose millions under the measure, but they agreed with realtors over the compromise. The effect of the Senate plan would vary dramaticaly from county to county, depending on when reassessments were taken.

Filed Under: Business, Legislature, News

National report: $1 hike in cigarette tax would aid SC

February 11, 2010 By

Raising South Carolina’s cigarette tax by $1 per pack would bring in $209 million in new annual revenue to help close the state’s budget shortfall, while also reducing the numbers of people who smoke and save lives,  that’s according to a national report released Wednesday by a coalition of public health organizations including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association , American Lung Association, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

According to the report with a $1 dollar increase in the cigarette tax, South Carolina could prevent 46, 700 kids from becoming smokers, spur 25,700 current adults smokers to quit, save 21, 700 residents from premature, smoking-caused deaths , and save $1 billion in health care costs.

The report comes one week after State Superintendent of Education and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Jim Rex called for the state to finally raise the nation’s lowest in the nation seven cents per pack cigarette tax to the national average $1.34 per pack. Rex called for the revenue to be used for Education for a brief term during the recession and for health care. South Carolina’s state cigarette tax was last raised in 1977.

Filed Under: Education, Health & Medicine, News, Politics & Government, Taxes

Upstate Tea Party takes issue with state GOP (Audio)

February 11, 2010 By

Tea Party advocates in the Upstate say they are  feeling “betrayed”  by the state Republican Party. The Upstate Coalition of Conservative Organizations on Thursday called a press conference for Friday in Greenville to protest and “correct misinformation” given by South Carolina GOP chairman Karen Floyd on national television regarding an agreement announced Monday between the Greenville County GOP and the Coalition.

Harry Kibler, the Upstate Coalition of Conservative Organization’s appointed spokesman, is the leader of www.rinohunt.net.

(Hear segment of interview with Kibler about his coalition’s issues with the GOP MP3 3:30)Kibler on frustration with state GOP

Kibler says, “Ms. Floyd has gotten on national television and played this thing to make it sound like the GOP and the Tea Party movement have formed a coalition. That is a misrepresentation of what we agreed to.” Kibler says he and his coalition were offended by Floyd’s appearances and “her leading folks to believe the overall impression that we have formed a coalition with the Republican party.” 

That and the immediate backlash he says that he got from what he calls the Liberty Party’s vast Internet network of supporters all over the country.” I’ve just been bombarded with folks yesterday evening and into today wanting to know why.” Now Kibler says the relationship with Republicans is up in the air and they have no plans at this time to communicate with Floyd and the state party about their grievances.

Spokesman Joel Sawyer says, “It came as a surprise to us. We’ve been consistent in everything we said, in relationship to this partnership or whatever you want to call it, has been consistent with what we laid out earlier this week in Greenville.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government

Charleston’s market responds to Haiti survivors

February 11, 2010 By

Local organizations and non-profits have assisted in many ways since the devastating earthquake hit Haiti last month. The historic City Market in downtown Charleston has a direct connection with Haiti. City Market Preservation Trust spokesman William Gilliard III says Charleston’s history with Haiti dates back to the 18th Century. In 1793, when the Market was under construction, it was used as a refugee camp for refugees during the conflict in Haiti.

“Charleston had trade ties and commerce with Haiti. Sugar cane, plaintains, that sort of thing. But, it was a unique because it was opportunity for us to step up and really support them in that time of crisis. Well, we fast forward 200 years later, the City Market, at this point, is positioning itself once again to really respond once again to the crisis in Haiti during this earthquake disaster. We have merchants in our Market who have family members in Haiti who they have not spoken to. So, it’s really a call to action and a movement for us to respond,” says Gilliard. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Human Interest, News

Independent candidate joins 1st District race

February 11, 2010 By

The already crowded race for South Carolina’s first district congressional seat has yet another candidate. Jimmy Wood of Summerville has joined the race for First District Congressman Henry Brown’s seat. Wood is a Summerville businessman and military veteran that will serve as an Independent candidate.

Wood told the Post and Courier “I think the two-party system is on the verge of being corrupt.” He says he is a conservative candidate that sees the tea party movement as his natural base. When asked by a reporter how he would respond to him having no chance as a third party candidate, he said “I love the Bible story of David and Goliath.” Seven Republican candidates and three Democrats have announced their bids for the seat as well.

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government
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