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COLUMBIA (WACH) – Is South Carolina broke?

The South Carolina Progressive Network hosted a town hall meeting Wednesday night asking that very question.

Dr. Michael Fanning says he is passionate about fixing the state’s tax system and says our state is not broke, only our current system of taxation.

“Across South Carolina we’ve been hearing two things. One is my taxes are too high. On the other hand we hear our state is broke. The reason we are passionate, is because there is no way that can be true,” said Fanning.

Fanning explained how special tax breaks and exemptions cost the state $4 to $5 billion in revenue each year.

Fanning blames permanent property tax cuts, low taxes on cigarettes and gas, and exemptions on sales and service taxes.

“We are literally taking twice as much money from the tax payers that we need to run government, but were giving half of it in special tax exemptions,” said Fanning.

For example Fanning says, we pay taxes for diaper service and funerals but not pet grooming and bail bonds. Something he says doesn’t make sense.

“We have a tax exemption for stuffing deer heads in South Carolina. We actually exempt 70 percent of the sale of a portable toilet. At some point tax payers have to stand up and say, are deer head stuffers, portable toilets and expensive cars more important than reducing my tax rates and providing the basic services we need in South Carolina,” said Fanning.

Fanning says he ultimately wants state lawmakers to cut special interest tax breaks, not core services. 

What do you think about Fanning's proposal?  Leave a comment below to weigh in.