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SC Bill Could Ban Teen Drivers From Using Cell
South Carolina senators are considering banning teens under 18 from driving while holding a cell phone to their ear.
A Senate Judiciary subcommittee is set to debate the bill on Wednesday.
It is among six bills in the Legislature this year that would bar drivers from text messaging, using a hand-held cell phone, or both.
Last week, a House panel gave initial approval to a bill barring both for drivers of all ages.
The bill proposed by Republican Sen. Thomas Alexander of Walhalla specifically deals with young drivers. A handsfree system would be exempt.
Offenders would be fined up to $50 for the misdemeanor.
Senate backs tax break
The Senate gave key approval Tuesday to some real estate buyers and investors in hopes of giving a boost to property sales.
The Senate, after tense negotiations for the first month of the legislative session, approved legislation that would eliminate additional taxes at the point of sale on second homes, businesses and commercial real estate in South Carolina for sales that occur this year. Additionally, those properties would get a 20 percent tax exemption for such sales in the years after.
The compromise proposal, which still must get a two-thirds vote on a final third reading, is considered by some lawmakers to be a major concession between competing interests in the state, whose differences so far have thwarted a deal.
The deal has been pushed by real estate professionals and investors and viewed skeptically by local governments that stand to lose millions in tax revenue.
“I had hope,” said Sen. Thomas Alexander, R-Oconee, who chairs a key Senate subcommittee and has been trying to bring parties together over the issue since the Legislature returned Jan. 12.
“I’m convinced all the parties understood this was good for South Carolina, and makes us competitive with other states for investments.”
Thomas and other lawmakers say the compromise should help jump-start struggling commercial real estate sales in the Palmetto State, which few involved in the negotiations deny have been slow.
The legislation was needed to address tax changes passed under 2006’s Act 388, which increasingly has become the poster child for a growing number of revenue problems in the state. Read more
Real estate tax break gets key approval
Call it a stimulus plan, South Carolina style.
The state Senate has given key approval to property tax breaks for anyone who buys commercial property or a second home this year.
Such properties would get smaller tax breaks if they change hands after 2010.
The goal is to encourage commercial property sales. The costs would be borne by local governments and schools, rather than the state. Read more