Say Yes 2 The Penny

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – It’s the first time the city of Columbia is speaking publicly about its support of the proposed one-cent sales tax increase for Richland County.

They believe a ‘yes’ vote will help to stimulate and bring to life the intersection of Williams and Senate Streets in downtown Columbia. The undeveloped 100 acres, some say, are the key to unlocking the city’s Riverfront potential, which could lead to more than 14,000 jobs.

“If passed, this penny tax referendum would create $1.1 billion in total economic impact,” Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said at a press conference Wednesday. Continue reading →

Eight Percent Sales Tax Not Unusual — But Don’t Tell the Tea Party

BY EVA MOORE, The Free Times

A proposed sales tax hike to fund roads and transit would put Richland County at the same tax rate as one-third of South Carolina counties, and right in line with the tax rates of many nearby cities, according to data gathered by Free Times. The finding counters a claim frequently made by a local anti-tax group that the hike would give Richland County an unusually high tax rate. And the fight to define the tax continues to escalate.

Currently, 30 percent of South Carolina counties have an 8 percent sales tax, while 54 percent charge 7 percent and 13 percent charge 6 percent. Continue reading →

Doug Bridges Interviewed on MyMetroTV

By CAROLINE WHITSON and TED SPETH – Guest Columnists, The State

It is a rare moment in life when we have a chance to make our community a better place with one simple act. But that is the opportunity voters will have on Nov. 2.

The last two questions on the Richland County ballot will impact our community for generations to come. By voting yes to those two questions, we will be voting to create a small, one-penny sales tax that will fix our growing traffic and transportation nightmare. It’s a local solution to a local problem.

If we pass the penny referendum, we will pave the way to a better day for Richland County. If we don’t, we will leave a structural deficit and a lower quality of life for generations to come. Continue reading →

By Jack Kuenzie – bio | email

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – Business and civic leaders backing a sales tax increase for Richland County transportation projects now have some numbers on their side. They’re contained in a new study released Wednesday morning.

Williams Street on the southwestern edge of the Vista in Columbia runs only about a block off Gervais, ending there and leaving a big chunk of prime undeveloped real estate near the Congaree.

Supporters say the proposed penny sales tax in Richland County could change all that, turning the area into top-notch commercial and office property generating $117 million in capital investment and 1,400 jobs. Continue reading →

Penny increase would bring extra $1.1 billion in activity, economist says

By DAWN HINSHAW, THE STATE

The average family in Richland County could end up saving more money on car maintenance than they would spend through an additional sales tax to improve roadways, according to a new economic impact study.

Bad roads cost folks an average of $262 a year in depreciation, repairs, higher gas consumption and wear on their tires, according to the study, conducted for the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

But the penny tax would cost the typical family of three $131 a year.

The difference? Savings of $131 a year. Continue reading →

By Warren Bolton – Associate Editor, THE STATE

IF VOTERS APPROVE A penny-on-the-dollar increase in the sales tax in Richland County, transit officials won’t have to worry year after year about whether elected bodies commiserating over their own tight budgets will be able — or willing — to provide necessary funding to keep the critical public bus system afloat.

Not only would the buses keep rolling, the system would expand its reach by extending routes into the suburbs. The bus system would be able to take people to more places and could entice people who now drive their cars everywhere to park and ride. The system, whose budget would rise from $10 million to $24 million a year, would aim to double the number of riders over the next 25 years.

A vastly upgraded bus system would be better able to help support the economy by getting workers to their jobs at hospitals, hotels and retail outlets while also carrying patients to doctor’s visits and shoppers to the mall. It would provide people a transportation option that helps cut down on congestion, pollution and overall gas use.

While the continuation of the bus system is the primary reason to increase the sales tax, it’s not the only one. Continue reading →

Richland County sales-tax proposal includes fudns for sidewalks, bikeways, greenways

By DAWN HINSHAW, The State

Long for sidewalks in your neighborhood? Not likely.

Richland County’s budget for new sidewalks this year is next-to-nothing. The same goes for Columbia.

When it comes to state and local transportation money, sidewalks consistently fall to the bottom of the priority list, though advocates say they enhance property values, encourage people to exercise and cut down on short car trips that pollute. Continue reading →