Earlier today the House GOP Tax Study Committee met to continue discussions on ways to reform our overall tax code to not only reduce the burden on South Carolinians but also improve our business climate and encourage/attract employers to grow their operations in SC. Not just large corporations but small business owners as well.

We’ve heard information regarding sales tax exemptions, Act 388, corporate income tax, corporate property tax, Fee in Lieu, and many other complicated data that combine to impact the overall tax structure of our state.

Every meeting we move closer to drafting a proposal we plan to present to the House GOP Caucus in time to have a bill filed and get a full debate on the House floor in early 2012. If the committee (and the full House) can pass a comprehensive bill early next year, it’s our hope that the bill could become law before the end of the current two-year session in June.

As always, I appreciate feedback and suggestions from you. Whether you’re in House District 71 or from other areas of the state, your input is important as we work towards this lofty goal.

Members of the committee include:

Tommy Stringer, Chair
Rita Allison
Nathan Ballentine
Shannon Erickson
Dan Hamilton
Jenny Horne
Tommy Pope
Rick Quinn
Garry Smith
Eddie Tallon
Bill Taylor
Mac Toole
Brian White
Tom Young