RICHLAND COUNTY, SC — Richland County auditor Paul Brawley joined others Monday in speaking out against the proposed penny sales tax for transportation improvements.

Brawley said Monday he quietly worked against the tax when it was on the ballot two years ago but is taking a more public stand this time.

“The penny is the wrong way to go,” he said, adding county officials should look at ways to pay for buses from existing revenues, such as keeping the transit fee or taking it out of county meal tax money.

Among other opponents appearing at Monday’s news conference, presented by Citizens Against the Penny Sales Tax was Helen “Ree” Daniels Taylor, a Richland County Council candidate in Lower Richland.