Sen. Kevin Bryant of Anderson failed in his filibuster attempt against Anderson County’s school districts penny sales-tax increase. His filibuster ended when senators voted 23-15 to approve a cloture motion. Minutes later, senators voted 35-5 to give final approval to a bill that will allow school districts in more than a dozen South Carolina counties to hold referendums on proposed sales-tax increases.During his filibuster, Bryant said these referendums could result in a $1 billion tax increase throughout the state.”We can’t afford it,” Bryant said. “There is a breaking point.”
Supporters of the referendum bill including all five school districts in Anderson County have committed to using 20 percent of money raised from the proposed tax increase to pay off debt, Newton said. The bill that senators approved Thursday requires school districts to use 10 percent of the tax money to alleviate debt.Joey Nimmer, administrator for the Anderson County Board of Education, said the bill approved Thursday will give voters a voice.”I’m excited about the possibility of moving forward,” he said. “And yet another hurdle has been cleared.”
South Carolina Association of Taxpayers 