Call it what you want, just put your name on it
December 5, 2007 | 3 Comments
One thing I’ve learned in life (and politics) is that people will justify anything.
I’m fine with that fact and I certainly understand how everyone has their own view and opinions when describing events that happen or maybe even the definition of certain words in society. (Think President Bill Clinton: It depends on what the meaning of the word “is” is.)
However, I think everyone is aware that - right or wrong - local projects get funded with state tax dollars. It’s been happening longer than any of us have been alive and will certainly continue long after.
That being said though, what’s wrong with letting everyone know what you feel is “needed” and where that money will actually go? When I presented a budget amendment last year for our State Libraries, I had my name on it (along with several others) and had to stand in front of the full House, explain what I was asking for, why I was asking for it, and then have my colleagues vote to approve or reject the amendment. (By the way, if you’re wondering - it passed and the money went to EVERY county in our state, on an equal basis. It didn’t go to only the two counties I represent).
Is this concept too much to ask for with our state budget instead of just amendments? Why should we let projects (needed or not) hide in the budget through subcommittee votes or committee votes (often anonymously) and rarely be questioned on the floor or during the veto process.
Now I’ve only been in the State House for three years so maybe this “new age thinking” has flaws I’m not aware of yet; but I’ll continue to work for what many in my district (and throughout the state) consider a “common sense” approach to government.
If an elected official needs (cough, wants) money for a specific cause, group, county, or his/her constituents, there’s nothing wrong in asking for it. I just think you should see whose hand is being raised and where your state tax dollars are going.
Property Tax Relief Could Bring Homeowners Refund Checks
December 4, 2007 | 3 Comments
WSPA Channel 7 News (CBS)
Greenville
Most homeowners are getting in the mail some extra holiday cheer: property tax bills that show the effects of the statewide property tax relief plan passed by state lawmakers. They raised the sales tax by a penny, using that to eliminate school operating expenses from homeowners’ property taxes.
The amount of the relief varies based on the value of the home, the county and the school district. Some homeowners will get no relief, while others may see their bills reduced by as much as 60 percent.
So you’ve received your tax bill and can see you paid too much into escrow for taxes. How do you get that money back?
Mortgage banker Nathan Ballentine says your mortgage company should contact you this month, or in January at the latest, to notify you of the overage.
“You’re going to have two choices, generally. You can either go ahead and get the lump sum in the form of a check, or you can have it applied to your mortgage balance,” he says. He says your monthly mortgage payments should also go down next year, since less will be needed set aside for property taxes.
Besides being a mortgage banker, Ballentine is also a state representative representing Irmo. “Quite honestly, when I ran for office three years ago, this was the main issue I heard, was property tax and a principle of ‘Do you really ever own your house?’ So I was pleased to be able to work with my colleagues to get this passed,” he says.
If you haven’t heard from your mortgage company by the middle of January, he says you should contact the company.