Real estate agents and local government officials were unable to settle their differences Monday on a bill changing the way property is valued for tax purposes when it is sold.
The bill would change the so-called point-of-sale provision in a 2006 statewide property tax reform bill. That provision changed a property's tax value to its market price on sale.
Real estate agents have complained the provision has hurt sales, while local government officials worry changing the law will cut $44 million from their budgets in the first year.
The parties reached a compromise last week that would have provided at least a 20 percent tax break on commercial properties and second homes, but the deal fell apart.
State Sen. Thomas Alexander, R-Oconee, said he was encouraged but added negotiators are running out of time. The point-of-sale bill is at the top of the Senate calendar. Alexander said the major sticking points are whether to apply changes to just commercial property and second homes or to also include owner-occupied homes.
Alexander said there also is disagreement about what percentage of new, additional taxes those properties should pay.
- John O'Connor
Clyburn proposes new health care strategy
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., said Monday that Democrats should break a health care reform bill into pieces, using the budget to bypass a Senate filibuster and forcing Republicans to vote against individual insurance industry reforms.
Democrats should not need 60 votes to pass a bill, Clyburn said, adding both the House and Senate can pass a bill through budget reconciliation.
Where that is not possible, Clyburn said Democrats should introduce bills - such as preventing insurers from denying coverage for diabetes and other conditions or dropping customers if they get sick. "Put up 10 of them and let's see who is going to vote against them," Clyburn said.
Clyburn also said recent Republican election wins are not a sign the public is unhappy with President Barack Obama's policies, but a sign the public is frustrated the U.S. Senate has not yet approved Obama's agenda
- John O'Connor
Barrett unveils plan to boost employment
U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, the Westminster Republican running for governor, released his plan Monday to get South Carolina back to work.
The plan includes overhauling the state Department of Commerce and tax code, prioritizing improvements to state roads, bridges and ports, and using lottery money to retrain workers for the up to 40,000 jobs currently available.
Barrett unveiled the plan at stops in Greenville, North Charleston and West Columbia.
"With a comprehensive approach to economic development, we can take South Carolina somewhere she has never been before," Barrett said.
The jobs tour continues today with stops in Aiken and Greenwood.
- Gina Smith
Storms delay flights of F-16s from Shaw
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE - The storms that moved across South Carolina delayed 15 fighter pilots from a Shaw Air Force Base squadron and their F-16 Fighting Falcons that are heading to Iraq.
Shaw Air Force Base spokeswoman 2nd Lt. Emily Chilson says the pilots of the 77th Fighter Squadron had planned to leave early Monday but were delayed by weekend storms.
Chilson says the pilots plan to leave early today.
They are to join the more than 300 members of the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and others from the 77th who left for Iraq last week. They are to be deployed for four months.
It's the fourth time one of Shaw's three F-16 squadrons has deployed to Iraq since 2003.
The squadron will fly close air support missions for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps units on the ground.
- The Associated Press
Coastal Carolina OKs online program
CONWAY - Students can attend some classes at Coastal Carolina University in their pajamas now that the college's board of trustees has approved its first online degree.
The university on Friday said it would offer a bachelor of science degree in health sciences over the Internet.
The degree could be offered as early as the spring of next year. It's designed for those with associate's degrees or technical certification in the allied health sciences.
The S.C. Commission on Higher Education and the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges would have to approve the program.
Coastal Carolina is located in Conway, about 12 miles from Myrtle Beach. The school has about 7,800 students.
- The Associated Press
Carowinds auction to benefit charities
GREENVILLE - A theme park on the South Carolina-North Carolina state line is auctioning the first rides on its new roller coaster to raise money for charities.
The Greenville News reported Monday that Carowinds in Fort Mill is auctioning the first rides on the Intimidator, a $23 million coaster named for the late racing legend Dale Earnhardt.
At nearly one mile in length and 232 feet tall, it opens March 27.
It has nine drops and will reach speeds of up to 80 mph in the more than three-minute ride.
Carowinds public relations manager Dani Swords says the total of 96 seats on the first three trains are being offered for a minimum bid of $50 each.
The money will go to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, which will divide the money among the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, American Red Cross and Make-a-Wish Foundation.
- The Associated Press
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