MORNING HEADLINES | South Carolina Republicans, who last week proposed a 3.99% flat income tax — down from a 6.2% rate — are defending their plan, even though a recent analysis said it would force 60% of taxpayers to pay more.
Republicans say the eventual goal is to slash a flat income tax rate to 2.49%, a level authors of the plan claim would mean three out of four taxpayers would pay less than they do now. But reaching that objective would take several years and the additional tax cuts would depend on the state’s economic growth.
“This is a simple cut for the hardworking taxpayers of South Carolina, not swapping it for another tax,” said Rep. Brandon Newton, R-Lancaster.
The bill would decouple South Carolina’s tax code from the federal system and tax adjusted gross income, while keeping all of the state’s existing deductions and exemptions.
State Democrats are alarmed that initial taxes would be raised on 60% of people in the state, especially without a firm time set to bring them back down.
“I’m not convinced that it is in the best interest of working people in this state,” said Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, R-Orangeburg. “Given the chaos at the federal level, given the uncertainty about our incomes, about our economic future, I just think we might need to tread lightly.”
In other headlines:
CP FOOD: RiverDogs again offering tasty ballpark treats on Friday. This year will see the introduction of Charlie’s Passport Stand, which showcases the park’s diverse offerings from barbacoa tacos, Nashville and hot tacos to rice bowls, ramen and the relaunch of pizzas.
CP MUSIC: Ranky Tanky to make triumphant return to Charleston Music Hall. When the now-famous jazz and soul band Ranky Tanky takes the stage at Charleston Music Hall Friday night, the April 4 performance will carry special significance, as members of the band return home and to a venue filled with memories.
Teens arrested in connection with Table Rock wildfires. According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, four teens were arrested and charged with negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another. One report said lit cigarettes caused the fires.
Overdose deaths in S.C. dropped in 2023, but there’s a rise of drug cocktails. The number of overdose deaths dropped for the first time since 2014. But mixtures, like the ominously dubbed Gray Death, are showing up more often in some toxicology reports.
City of Charleston hosting open houses to teach about flood solutions. The City of Charleston’s Office of Resilience & Sustainability plans to host several WaterWise Charleston open houses to teach about flooding, plans on how to handle those issues and how you can help.
James Island has a plan to make housing more affordable. As housing only gets more expensive across the Charleston area, the town is working to add accessory dwelling units as additional housing stock. An accessory dwelling unit is a smaller, separate living space on the same property as a single-family home.
Charleston medical experts explain how to survive pollen this season. The Medical University of South Carolina Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Section Chief Dr. Kelli Williams recommends avoiding touching the eyes, closing windows, washing cars and wearing hats to help reduce the volume of pollen entering the body each day.
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