Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

Monday, September 26, 2011  South Carolina's House Republicans are considering ways to overhaul the state's tax system.  On Monday, they heard suggestions that included changing the way the state taxes homes and increasing South Carolina's gasoline tax.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011  The Senate on Tuesday opened debate on a budget bill for the fiscal year that begins July 1 that's patched together by spending cuts and growing revenue from an improving economy and a cigarette tax increase approved a year ago.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011  South Carolina's budget-writing committee has postponed work on tax credits for drivers, investors and businesses.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010  Many store employees say they aren't seeing customers stock up. They say if customers do buy extra, it's generally just an extra pack or two.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010  Will your smoking habits change as a result of the increased cigarette tax?

Wednesday, June 30, 2010  Tobacco wholesalers will get more money to collect the higher cigarette taxes that take effect in South Carolina on July 1.

Thursday, May 13, 2010  South Carolina lawmakers have overridden Gov. Mark Sanford's veto and raised what was the nation's lowest cigarette tax by 50 cents a pack.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010  The South Carolina House has overridden Gov. Mark Sanford's veto of a 50 cent increase in the nation's lowest cigarette tax.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010  South Carolina legislators are expected to consider Gov. Mark Sanford's veto of a 50 cent increase in the nation's lowest cigarette tax.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010  The cigarette tax legislation would have raised more than a billion dollars during the next decade.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010  South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has vetoed a bill to raise the nation's lowest cigarette tax.

Wednesday, May 05, 2010  South Carolina senators have approved raising the nation's lowest cigarette tax by 50 cents a pack.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010  The South Carolina House has agreed to a 50-cent increase in cigarette taxes for the second time in two years.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010  South Carolina House members say they will lower a proposed increase in the state's cigarette tax to 30 cents a pack instead of the 50 cents the Senate approved last week.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010  By a 32-12 vote, the Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to raising the current tax of 7 cents, which is expected to generate about $130 million for Medicaid programs.