Page 24 - April

ISSUE NUMBER 166 THE TOWN CRIER APRIL 2017

Taxed Six Ways From Sunday
By Representative Jonathon Hill

In a legislature where certain Republicans hide the fact that they aren’t really very Re-
publican, forcing votes on issues that expose them doesn’t make me very popular. I
think I’ve had more attacks and lies told about me at the State House over the last two
or three weeks than I’ve ever experienced in my life.

As you have probably heard by now, the House passed the budget in record time, spending $1 billion more
than last year ($27.3 billion total). Of course, I voted against it. One Republican member passed me in the
House Republican Caucus meeting and said ―you’re in the wrong caucus.‖ Well, maybe he was right, be-
cause this sure looks like the tax-and-spend caucus.

Not only is this the third and largest budget that I’ve seen the House pass since I joined in 2014, you’re also
about to get hit six ways from Sunday in higher taxes. Here is a list of the taxes that may go into effect this
year, by the efforts of state and local Republicans:

1. Higher gas tax - A 2-cent-per-year increase for the next 5-6 years is on the table, along with higher reg-
istration fees.

2. Higher vehicle sales tax - The House passed an increase to the maximum threshold from $300 to
$500, so you will pay more taxes on vehicle purchases over $6,000. If that happens to be a hybrid or elec-
tric car, you’ll pay an additional $60-$120 every two years for the privilege.

3. New local road fees - Anderson County hired a consultant to make the case for more road money. An
attempt to impose $4.4 million in new vehicle taxes failed 5-1 last year, but hiring the firm appears to be a
step toward making the case for a tax increase of some kind this year or next.

4. Higher pension tax - The ―employer contribution‖ for state employee pensions is going up by 1%.
Guess who pays the employer contribution? You do. In the Pickens County school district, that equates
roughly to $1.2 million or $4.5 mil. In Anderson School District 5, that amount is roughly $450,000. Look for
school districts to threaten to start laying off teachers if you don’t get on board with some kind of tax in-
crease for their pensions.

5. School taxes - Anderson School District 4 has spent through it’s 1-cent sales tax money and is now
having a referendum in May on whether to raise property taxes for a new school. I oppose tax swaps like
the 1-cent sales tax/property tax swap that was passed in 2014-2015 because of this very phenomenon:
the tax that gets lowered tends to creep back up in a short time, thus, it’s really just a bait-and-switch tactic.

6. Firefighter taxes - Anderson’s Fire Commission is funded by a $6-mil property tax. They are asking for
a $4 mil increase to fund new equipment.

Some of these are state taxes, and some are local taxes. Anytime the state legislature raises taxes it tends
to make the county and municipal governments feel safer about following suit.

Government here needs to be forced to live within our means more often. Please save this list, and remem-
ber it in the 2018 elections. I have a feeling that the Republicans who voted for the pension bill, the gas tax
bill, and any of these local taxes are going to be in for an unpleasant surprise. Gov. McMaster is working
hard to make sure that isn’t him!

Sincerely,
Rep. Jonathon Hill
http://votehill.com
864-245-5885 (cell)

24