This year will prove very challenging for any legislation dealing with revenue. In 1991 the SCPF was responsible for the passage of most of the sales tax exemptions that our farmers currently have (electricity,farm machinery and their parts, natural and lp gas, building materials and equipment used for the production of poultry and livestock). The state's tax system in being reviewed by a committee (TRAC) that will make their recommendations to the General Assembly on what they think should be revisited, revoked or left in place. The SCPF position is that ag tax exemptions and ag property tax assessments remain in place.
There will be a strong move to increase the cigarette tax to the Southeastern average of 37 to 40 cents. Agribusiness (including the SCPF) is asking that one cent go to fund ag marketing programs and for state agricultural disaster relief.
For several years, there has been discussion on government restructuring. One suggestion would be to divide DHEC and allow the Governor to appoint a Secretary to his cabinet for that purpose. We oppose any division of DHEC.
Senate bill 452 (S.452) dealing with surface water withdrawals will be taken up again this year having retained its place on the Senate Ag Committee calendar. The current version exempts farm ponds and existing users at their current use. Ag would be a registered user for navigable streams withdrawal, but would not be subject to permitting. We support the language in the bill and will move for passage as long as ag remains exempt.
After discussion with the Department of Transportation (DOT), we learned today that DOT has created a pilot program that will allow the movement of 100,000 lbs. refrigerated containers throughout SC on specific permitted routes. Hopefully, this will be a boost to our poultry processors. Please see the web link below for more info.
http://www.scdot.org/doing/OSOW.asp
Connie Smith
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