Senate Summary
Filed Under Top News, Caucus, Ritchie, Leatherman, Campsen, McConnell | Leave a Comment
Week of April 22 - 24, 2008
Quote of the Week– “The people of South Carolina deserve better
than what the House is doing. The House has tried to kill this bill
twice this year and they are now hiding behind some strange
interpretation of the rules to avoid delivering strong illegal
immigration reform to the people of South Carolina.”
Senator Jim Ritchie (R-Spartanburg), Chairman of the Joint Legislative
Conference Committee on illegal immigration reform, commenting on the
events of the past week by the House of Representatives and their
refusal to seek approval for free negotiating powers. Read more
Leatherman Tax Realignment Commission Receives Senate Approval
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Senator wants independent, objective analysis of current tax system.
Columbia, SC - The South Carolina Senate today took the first step in rebuilding a “cobbled together” tax code that no longer reflects the realities of the state’s current economic forces. Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence) introduced the legislation (S.1242) to establish the South Carolina Tax Realignment Commission earlier in this session and today the senate gave the idea second reading.
“It’s the only way I know to get an independent, objective analysis of our present tax system, and to retool the tax code to meet today’s challenges,” says Senator Leatherman. “A tax code based on the realities of today’s economic environment is absolutely essential if we are to have the quality of life that all of us want.”
The eleven-member commission will be charged with reviewing the current state tax code from top to bottom and making recommendations that are fair, equitable, and maintain or enhance the state’s competitive edge in attracting new business. The commission will consist of four members appointed by the Senate, four members appointed by the House, two members appointed by the Governor, and the Director of the Department of Revenue. Commission members appointed by the General Assembly must be highly qualified individuals with a background in public finance, tax law, economics, accounting or other related areas of expertise.
The commission’s recommendations will serve as the foundation for the future of South Carolina’s state tax code. Any major changes by the General Assembly to the commission’s initial recommendations would require a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber placing an additional procedural hurdle to amending the independent commission’s suggested legislation. Technical or minor changes would only require a simple majority vote.
“If we succeed, South Carolina would be the first state in the country to overhaul its tax code,” says Senator Leatherman. “We are competing in a knowledge-based global economy. Our competitors are no longer Georgia and North Carolina, but India and China. It is time we took a hard look at the state’s tax code.”
The commission’s final recommendations and proposed legislation would be submitted to the General Assembly by January 1, 2010 for its action.
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S.C. Senate OKs budget; McConnell gets $5 million more for Lowcountry schools
Filed Under Caucus, ryberg2, Top News, Rankin, McConnell, Leatherman, Peeler | 2 Comments
The state Senate approved a $7 billion spending plan Wednesday after a 12-hour session that had coastal lawmakers sparring for cash and ended with promising state workers a 1 percent raise.
Final deals were reached just after 10 p.m. after Charleston and other Lowcountry legislators were promised millions to shore up spending for their schools, as well as more tourism promotion cash as soon as the economy turns around.
That cleared the way for the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 to head back to the House. A joint conference committee will work out final deals in the next few weeks amid fears a weak economy could prompt more spending reductions. Read more
Senate Passes State Budget
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Responsible, Pork-Free Budget Focused On Education and Healthcare
Columbia, SC - The South Carolina Senate today passed a lean, responsible, pork-free budget that fully funds K-12 education and prioritizes healthcare. Senators were forced to make tough funding decisions after the Board of Economic Advisors adjusted estimated state revenue downward by $180 million. The estimate included an expected shortfall in the current budget year of $90 million and an additional $90 million decrease for fiscal year 2008-2009.
