STAVRINAKIS OPPOSES PROPOSED TAX INCREASES

Share this article:

Last week, the South Carolina General Assembly began discussions to replace certain sales taxes with increased taxes on other items. The day after the issue arose, state Representative Leon Stavrinakis of District 119 (West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Kiawah, Seabrook) blasted a recommendation from the Tax Realignment Commission, which called for huge tax increases on food, water, electricity, prescription drugs and many other consumer items.

"I am absolutely opposed to these tax increases," said Rep. Stavrinakis. "Food, water, electricity and prescription drugs are basic necessities required by our citizens to survive and raise their families. It is wrong to increase these taxes and I will fight any proposal to do so. I and many of my colleagues worked very hard to eliminate the grocery tax, to cap property taxes and to reduce income taxes. Certainly change is needed to stabilize the state budget but it must begin with budgeting and spending reforms, and economic development. If we budget and spend responsibly and bring prosperity back to South Carolina, we will have adequate funding to meet our needs for the limited but effective government South Carolinians want."

— Leon Stavrinakis
S.C. House District 119 Representative