By FITSNews || With South Carolina’s state budget reeling from recessionary pressures (or at least the general fund portion of the state budget – the rest of it is growing just fine, thank you very much), state lawmakers are looking for anything and everything they can possibly find to slap with a new tax, fee or fine to raise “desperately-needed” revenues.
As usual, cigarettes are “Convenient Enemy No. 1,” although don’t expect the state’s RINOcrat majority to stop there, as we’ve heard of no fewer than a dozen different legislative proposals to raise taxes, fines and fees on the people of South Carolina as they struggle to make ends meet during the worst (and longest) recession in eight decades.
As usual, because government can’t live within its means like the rest of us, it requires more of our “means.” Funny how that (always) works …
Yet with powerful “Republicans” like Bobby Harrell aggressively pushing a cigarette tax hike, that’s obviously where the majority of legislative attention has been focused, and where we see a multiplicity of proposals emerging.
On the one hand, we have a proposal crafted by State Rep. “Cigarettesaurus” Rex Rice (RINO – Pickens), who wants to take cigarette tax revenue and use it to fund unsustainable annual increases in Medicaid funding (increases which have failed miserably to improve our state’s health, by the way).
On the other hand, we have a more recent proposal crafted by current Superintendent of Education Jim Rex (D – La La Land), who wants to take cigarette tax revenue and use it to fund unsustainable increases in education funding (increases which have utterly failed to improve academic achievement, by the way).
Finally we have S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford, a former fiscal conservative champion (and yet sadly, a squirming, squishy mass of legislative appeasement and accommodation all of a sudden), who wants to swap out a cig tax hike in exchange for a tax cut elsewhere – which is basically just moving your money around government’s coffers.
What the hell, guys?
Whatever happened to cutting taxes?
Anyway, the debate over the cigarette tax has suddenly spilled over into the GOP gubernatorial contest (such as it is), where S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster (who is ironically advised by the same consultants who advise “Cigarettesaurus” Rex) is busy bashing Superintendent Rex’s plan.
Hmmmm … wonder if there’s not a little “cross-pollination” going on there with the Rex for Congress campaign?
Obviously, we wouldn’t dream of broaching such an issue without soliciting your opinions …
Loading ...Oh … and as your reward for voting, here’s a larger high-rez shot of our smokin’ gal …
(Click to enlarge)
By countryboy February 9, 2010 at 2:12 pm
You know, it doesn’t really matter what taxes and fees politicians increase, even if the increases eventually resulted in a momentary balanced budget, because the scum suckers will just increase spending…and send us right back down the road to deficits.
We need term limits in the state and federal legislatures and we need balanced budget laws in both (and no exclusions except in time of declared war). We need people going to the state or federal legislatures to get a specific job done and then come home, not going into politics for a lifetime personal gravy train and the only way to end that is with term limits. Just wishful thinking on a rainy Tuesday because neither will happen.
By Bobby February 9, 2010 at 2:32 pm
“to raise taxes, fines and fees on the people of South Carolina as they struggle to make ends meet during the worst (and longest) recession in eight decades.”
If people are struggling to make ends meet, spending $5 or $6 on a pack of cigarettes is stupid. Studies show that increasing cigarette taxes decreases teen smoking by 10% or more. That saves our state money long-term on health care costs. Having low taxes is great. Nobody is saying that our cigarette tax need to be $3.46 like it is in Rhode Island, they’re just suggesting that $0.07 is a little ridiculous and increasing it to $1.34 to join the rest of the civilized world might not be a terrible idea.
We’re either fighting to make sure tobacco companies don’t see a profit loss or we’re fighting to make sure already poorly paid teachers don’t have to take five days without pay…I feel like Harrell, Rice, and Rex are probably fighting for real people here.
By justsayin' February 9, 2010 at 3:04 pm
How did you miss this?!?!???
H.4529 FREE USE OF STATE AND LOCAL ATHLETIC CLUBS/GYMNASIUMS
BY MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY Rep. Williams
This bill provides that members of the General Assembly may use athletic clubs or gymnasiums owned by a state or local agency, entity, commission, or institution without charge.
By Brandon February 9, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I would be against a cigarette tax too if tobacco lobbyists were lining my pockets. But seriously, cigs should be illegal…
By Mac Gargan February 9, 2010 at 5:24 pm
we don’t need any more tax and spend “republicans” in Congress. Rex Rice is a part of the problem, NOT the solution. I think any of the options in SC-03 are better than that RINO.
By You Said What? February 9, 2010 at 8:23 pm
One thing you’re omitting regarding the fees and fines issue that you link to above as well as the most recent policy council “report” on their other blog. The General Assembly could pass along the cost of services to the general population, even if the general population doesn’t use the service; or, as is often the case, actually charge the people using the services a fee for the use of that service. Why should I pay anything if you decide to build a facility and need appropriate inspections/permits? Why should I pay for you to get a birth certificate? Those fees pay for those services. Maybe you should review a particular fee that your buds at the Policy Council mentioned– the Underground Storage Tank fund. Everybody who buys gas pays into that fund with an additional “tax” on their gas. And that money goes into a fund that is used ONLY to pay for cleanup of fuel spills and leaks at service/food stations. One little catch. A station owner has to pony up $25K if he/she causes a spill that impacts the environment — and you and me and everyone else has to pay UP TO $1 Million dollars for the remaining cleanup cost. That’s a pretty sweet deal for the station operator. Guess which one of your “fiscal heroes” is a big, big backer of that pool of gift money to station operators? Oh yes, none other than “alternate budget man” Sen. Ryberg. So, if you’re going to take aim at these fees/fines/funds, please ensure you do so equally.
By Ynotfirst February 10, 2010 at 7:02 am
ALCOHOL TAX would be a much bigger revenue.
By Crooner February 10, 2010 at 11:48 am
Raise the cigarette tax so that the cost of cigarettes reflects their cost to society. Health care, lost productivity, littering, etc.