Caucus Press Release: Property Tax Relief Clears Major Hurdle
Jan 31, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Property Tax Relief Clears Major Hurdle
COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee approved two bills that provide sweeping property tax reform -- eliminating nearly all property taxes for homeowners.
The comprehensive reform plan, the first item on the 2006 Republican agenda, eliminates property taxes on owner-occupied homes and replaces it with a 2-cent sales tax. It also will reassess property when sold or transferred and eliminate the sales tax on groceries, reducing the burden on the poor.
"I am proud of all the hard work the House Ways and Means Committee has done on this bill," said House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston. "People from all over the state have let us know how important property tax relief is to them. The work of this committee shows how the members of the House are making the needs of South Carolina's taxpayers one of their top concerns."
The reform plan consists of two separate bills. The first is a constitutional amendment that changes the procedures for reassessing property values. Property will only be reassessed when it is sold or transferred, except between spouses. The second bill eliminates operating property taxes from owner-occupied houses and eliminates sales taxes on groceries.
"This is not something we dreamed up in Columbia. This is an issue homeowners want addressed now," said Rep. Adam Taylor of Laurens. "This plan will benefit all South Carolinians."
The constitutional amendment, H. 4450, was approved without objection. The second bill, H. 4449, was approved 20-3. The full House will probably consider the plan later this week.
A majority of House members, coming from both parties, have signed on to sponsor both bills.
"We are working to address the concerns of homeowners from across the state, despite the best efforts of the special interests trying to derail property tax relief," said Majority Leader Jim Merrill of Daniel Island.
For More Information:
Speaker Bobby Harrell
(803) 734-3125
Majority Leader Jim Merrill
(803) 734-3138
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