COLUMBIA – House Democrats joined with the South Carolina Association of Counties on Wednesday to oppose the crippling 42% budget cut to local governments proposed and passed by Republicans in the Ways & Means committee last week. These measures would essentially force local and county governments to either cut basic services for their communities who are already dealing with the massive drawbacks in last year’s budget, or raise taxes.
“This proposal is unacceptable and fiscally irresponsible”, said Rep. Cathy Harvin (D-Clarendon). “We cannot expect local governments to fix the problems that were created right here in Columbia”. Harvin added, “House Democrats will not vote for this budget if these cuts do not disappear.
The proposed cuts force local governments to carry the financial burden of the budget crisis without giving them an alternative solution to create revenue. With Act 388 prohibiting local governments from raising property taxes, the only remaining options lie in the dramatic downscaling of basic services, pay cuts, and layoffs.
Several Democratic members of the House and Senate voiced their opposition to the massive cuts at the press conference, stating that the drastic impact it would have on employees, county officials, and basic services were too catastrophic to ignore.
“We will not stand idly by while the Republicans attempt to bamboozle and hoodwink county and local governments”, said Rep. Wendell Gilliard, a former City Councilman in Charleston. “I’ve seen it done before, and I will not let it happen again."
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