By FITSNews || For all of S.C. Speaker Bobby Harrell’s talk of transparency in government, his S.C. House of Representatives voted to raise the cigarette tax anonymously this week.
That’s right … there was no recorded vote by lawmakers on the section of the state budget that included a 30-cent-per-pack hike on cigarettes.
Fortunately, lawmakers were forced on the record by Rep. Joey Millwood (R-Spartanburg) – who offered an amendment that would have removed the tax hike from the state’s $21.1 billion spending plan. Unfortunately, Millwood’s amendment failed by a lop-sided 106-12 vote.
Now, consider this … dozens of lawmakers have signed a “Taxpayers’ Protection Pledge” with the S.C. Association of Taxpayers, a document which states very simply “I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.” We’re not sure what your interpretation of that language is, but we think it means that you’re supposed to vote against any new tax hike – including the sort of tax hike an affirmative vote on Millwood’s amendment would have prevented.
Accordingly, here are the 23 lawmakers who have violated their “Taxpayers’ Protection Pledge” pledge …
Representative Bill Sandifer (H-2 Oconee)
Representative Brian White (H-6 Anderson)
Representative Don Bowen (H-8 Anderson)
Representative Bruce Bannister (H-24 Greenville)
Representative Rex Rice (H-26 Pickens)
Representative Garry Smith (H-27 Greenville)
Representative Larry Littlejohn (H-33 Spartanburg)
Representative Rita Allison (H-36 Spartanburg)
Representative Steve Parker (H-37 Spartanburg)
Representative Marion Frye (H-39 Saluda)
Representative Gary Simrill (H-46 York)
Representative James Lucas (H-65 Darlington)
Representative Murrell Smith (H-67 Sumter)
Representative James Harrison (H-75 Richland)
Representative Joan Brady (H-78 Richland)
Representative Jimmy Bales (H-80 Richland)
Representative Roland Smith (H-84 Aiken)
Representative Chip Huggins (H-85 Lexington)
Representative Annette Young (H-98 Charleston and Dorchester)
Representative James Merrill (H-99 Berkley)
Representative Tracey Edge (H-104 Horry)
Representative Mike Sottile (H-112 Charleston)
Representative William Bowers (H-120 Hampton)
Incidentally, Reps. Michael Thompson and Dwight Loftis are both signers of the tax pledge who did not vote.
Also, several lawmakers who have supported a cigarette tax hike in the past – Reps. Danny Cooper and Kenny Bingham, for example – were among the handful of lawmakers who broke ranks and supported the Millwood amendment.
They are proponents of a cigarette tax hike, don’t get us wrong, but they are hoping to pass the tax as a stand-alone bill, not as an amendment to the state budget.
WEB EXTRA
S.C. “No New Taxes” Pledge Signers (SC Association of Taxpayers)
By Huhhh??? March 19, 2010 at 1:14 pm
“…dozens of lawmakers have signed a “Taxpayers’ Protection Pledge” with the S.C. Association of Taxpayers, a document which states very simply “I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.” ”
People who sign pledges to never to do this or that are just too dim to know or acknowledge that circumstances may change so drastically that they may have to change their minds to deal with a totally new reality.
They are the antithesis of leaders; they are incapable of educating, inspiring and persuading voters to do what is best and right for the majority of citizens. They just divide and conquer with litmus test talking points.
Do we need to elect people who are too limited to grasp that things change and we need to change with them? Are we all as pathological to keep electing people like that?
Do you think that’s why we are in the mess we’re in?
People who don’t understand that EVERYTHING in life is gray, not black or white don’t do us regular people or our state or country one bit o’ good.
By baker March 19, 2010 at 3:36 pm
What happened to Will’s post from yesterday with the misinformation?
Maybe I just overlooked it.
By CNSYD March 19, 2010 at 6:11 pm
I don’t smoke so I don’t care how much tax they put on them. Maybe the dumb smokers will get the message, as if cancer is not message enough.
By Dr Manhattan March 19, 2010 at 6:32 pm
So when all the non-tax crowds million dollars houses are looted after a hurricane we dont what to hear a fucking thing from you about no law enforcement to protect your stupid asses!!!
By Ynotfirst March 19, 2010 at 6:56 pm
they need to tax themselves… their seats in the House…. yeah that a good idea.
By Jimbo March 19, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Bravo for increasing the nation’s lowest cigarette tax!
It should:
1. improve state revenues
2. deter young people from starting to smoke
3. deter all people from smoking due to higher costs
4. reduce health care costs, which are spread throughout society
5. improve health of citizens and
6. reduce litter
This is one tax that should have been increased — by much more — decades ago.
Who cares if the big four tobacco companies suffer sales declines in the United States? They will make it up in third world countries.
Those who are opposed to any and all taxes on principle are narrow minded.
By Lowcountry Hog March 19, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Anyone that signs a no tax pledge is a moron plain and simple. Any pledge for that matter. You are committing your position without ever even hearing the argument for or against.
And the reasoning a few people broke ranks, (if you will read MSM you would have seen this) is that the Budget Chairman supported the cigarette tax, but just not in the budget, but as a stand alone bill.
75% of South Carolinians favor a cigarette tax with the proceeds going to healthcare costs that are primarily being driven up by smokers (heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, many forms of cancer, and emphezeyma just to name a few) So I would asses that the S.C. Association of Taxpayers are way out numbered on this.
By EM March 19, 2010 at 10:48 pm
As a on the wagon tobacco abuser, I don’t consider this tax a violation. I wish cigarettes cost what my car does and my car cost what cigs do. The tax will eventually go away if everyone stops smoking. Those that don’t buy cigarettes won’t be taxed.
By Old Bike Dude March 20, 2010 at 8:12 am
If they start taxing coochie then I’ll get upset, but cigarettes. Tax them out of existence.
By Mike March 20, 2010 at 8:39 am
I don’t think the cigarettes are the issue. This another anonymous vote. This is disgusting. Between threats of “deem and pass” in Washington and Anonymous votes by our representatives in Columbia, we are heading into Hugo Chavez territory. Where is the outrage?
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By cfd007 March 21, 2010 at 12:44 pm
You people need to wake and smell the coffee.
By george45 May 4, 2010 at 2:14 pm
i hope them peoples stop makin cigarettes and tobacco products. them peoples are just killing people.