April 29, 2014

Dear Candidate,

We are asking all candidates running for state offices to stand in solidarity with the taxpayers of our state. By signing our “No New Tax Pledge”, you join approximately 40 U.S. Senators, 230 U.S. House Members, 13 Governors, 4 Lt. Governors, 4 Attorney Generals, 3 Secretaries of State and 3 State Treasurer’s. There are more than 1,2500 Legislators across the United States, as of March 2014 that have signed the pledge.

Here in South Carolina, 10 state Senators and 29 House Members have signed the pledge. (Please see our website below for the complete list of signers.) Please stand with these fine Legislators in doing something good for the taxpayers and your potential constituents.

This can also be crucial for your image, 82% of voters said that they would vote for the person who signed the pledge vs. a candidate who did not! Everyone loves to hear that legislators will not raise taxes, but having it in writing is something to brag about! For those that sign our pledge, we have for you our “No New Taxes” signs. Please find enclosed a copy of what they look like. If you are interested in receiving signs, we will make arrangements to get them to you after receiving your signed pledge. Our pledge can be found on our website http://www.scat1982org.wordpress.com by clicking on the SCAT No New Tax Pledge tab.

Please ask current S.C. House Member Representative Kirkman Finlay, III (R- Richland County), who won his general election campaign against a non-pledge signer. His signing of the pledge was the tipping point for his election win in a swing district.
Sincerely,

Don Weaver, President
S.C. Association of Taxpayers

Republican Horry County Council District 5 candidate Clif Smith this month signed a pledge from the South Carolina Association of Taxpayers that he will oppose any tax increases if elected.

“I believe that Horry County government must live within its means, just like county families have to do every day. Especially in these difficult economic times, county council cannot continue to saddle hard working families and businesses with higher taxes,” Clif Smith said. “I’m willing to pledge to taxpayers in writing that I will oppose tax increases and call upon the other candidates in this race to join me in making this pledge.”

“The South Carolina Association of Taxpayers is delighted that Clif Smith has signed our ‘No New Tax Pledge.’ This shows to the voters and taxpayers of Horry County that he is serious about managing the county’s budget,” SCAT President Don Weaver said. “Government at all levels must live within its means, particularly as families continue to struggle in this economy. We applaud Clif for his willingness to stand up for county taxpayers.”

The pledge signed by Smith states: “I, Clif Smith, pledge to the taxpayers of Horry County Council District Five, and to all the people of the State of South Carolina, that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”

Smith joins Gov. Nikki Haley, state House and Senate Majority Leaders Rep. Bruce Bannister and Sen. Harvey Peeler, and here locally, Reps. Tracy Edge and Stephen Goldfinch in signing the SCAT pledge.

The national version of the no-new-tax pledge, produced by the Americans for Tax Reform, has been signed by SC congressional delegation members Tim Scott, Lindsey Graham, Mark Sanford, Joe Wilson, Jeff Duncan, Trey Gowdy, and Mick Mulvaney.

The Aiken County School Board approved a list of projects that could benefit from a one percent sales tax, but before voters can decide, lawmakers at the Statehouse in Columbia have to approve of the tax increase.

If the bill doesn’t pass by June 30, the end of this years legislative secession school systems across the state will be forced to wait until 2016 before it can be brought up again.

Aiken County School Board did approve $125 million recommended projects list they hope to fund with the penny sales tax. However only two schools, as of right now, would benefit. North Augusta High School would get $65 million and Aiken High would get $60 million. For a total of $125 million.

You can read more by clicking the link below.

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Aiken-County-School-Boards-talks-penny-sales-tax-and-make-up-school-days–252371611.html?ref=611

S.C. taxpayers paid about 8.3 percent of their income on state and local taxes in 2011, the most recent data available. The national average was 9.8 percent. In comparison to other southern states South Carolina also has a lower percentage in state taxes.

Other southern states such as Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina all have considerably higher state and local tax percentage. This means S.C. state and local governments are receiving significantly less money because income amounts are lower in South Carolina. South Carolina’s $33,603 average per capita income ranks 46th in the country.

On a positive note state and local tax percentages have dropped in S.C. in the past several years. Due largely to the slight growth in personal income.

Read the full story by clicking the link below.

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20140402/PC1610/140409827/1435/sc-has-low-tax-burden-study-says

Dear Members

The South Carolina Association of Taxpayers board members would like to thank you for your attendance at our 18th Annual Legislative Luncheon on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. Your attendance at this year’s luncheon was much appreciated and played a major part in making the luncheon a success. Thank you for your continued support of our Legislative Luncheon and SCAT as a whole. We look forward to working with you in the future to continue our service of the South Carolina Taxpayers.

To those of you who could not be in attendance we honored S.C. Governor Nikki Haley, State Treasurer Curtis Loftis, Senator Harvey Peeler, and Senator Katrina Shealy with “Friend of the Taxpayer Awards. We also recognized Representative Brain White as “Legislator of the year”, and our Dick Winchell Profile in Courage Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Lieutenant Governor Glenn McConnell.

Please click the link below to access the luncheon program outlining the program and the dedication to our late Vice President David James. Once again we would like to thank you for your support of SCAT. We are a private, non-profit organization and your support and donations help to keep the fight for lower taxes for S.C. citizens alive.

Legislative Luncheon Program 2014

Sincerely,

Rendell Stokes
Executive Assistant

We’re ready for South Carolina Association of Taxpayers 18th Annual Legislative Luncheon are you? Awarding Senator Katrina Shealy, Governer Haley and others.

See you all there tomorrow afternoon at the Capitol City Club, at 11am!!

The South Carolina Association of Taxpayers will hold their 18^th Annual Legislative Luncheon in Columbia on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at the Capital City Club. This membership appreciation luncheon will begin at 11am and continue until 1pm.

As the most influential citizen’s group on tax policy in the General Assembly, this is a great opportunity to attend an event to represent your views and your companies. This will serve as an opportunity to meet and mingle with our honored guest and speakers.

This year’s speakers include Senator Scott, and Mrs. Sheri Few candidate for State Superintendent of Education. Honored guest will include Lieutenant Governor Glenn McConnell, State Treasurer Curtis Loftis, Senator Harvey Peeler, Senator Katrina Shelley and Representative Brian White.