COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- Several South Carolina senators say they think the Senate would approve a proposed deal to bring Amazon to the state, if they can just get the Senate to vote on it.
In a bi-partisan effort Monday, Democratic senators Vincent Sheheen and Joel Lourie were joined by Republican senators Jake Knotts and John Courson in calling for a vote on the hotly-debated deal.
The House voted 97-20 last week to approve the sales tax exemption just three weeks after voting it down. House majority leader Rep. Kenny Bingham pushed for a re-vote on the issue after he says fellow lawmakers and constituents urged him to introduce the measure again.
The fight now moves to the Senate, which has been stuck in the budget debate for a month and some worry an Amazon vote could get lost in the shuffle with just weeks remaining on the legislative calendar.
"This week must be the time for my fellow senators to schedule a vote and seal the deal," said Sen. Sheheen. "I understand there are two sides to every issue. But we must speak the truth. If we are honest when we run around the state saying jobs are the most important issue, then we can't back away because of some ideological obsession or pressure from special interests."
The Amazon proposal would give the online retailer a five-year exemption from collecting sales tax from South Carolina's online shoppers, in exchange for creating at least 2,000 jobs with health benefits and investing $125 million.
A recent analysis of Amazon's plans to build the distribution center shows the state would net more than $162 million in the first year.
The analysis from the state Commerce Department was obtained Monday by The Associated Press. It shows a total benefit of $162.6 million in the first year and nearly $1.1 billion over 10 years. Those numbers are based on Amazon's prior agreement with the state, which called for 1,250 jobs and a $90 million capital investment.
Opponents argue granting Amazon a sales-tax exemption gives the retailer an unfair advantage over other businesses.
On Monday, the bi-partisan group pushing for a Senate vote on the issue said it was important for their fellow lawmakers to complete the budget early this week and immediately get to work on Amazon.
"So far, the way this matter has been handled makes South Carolina look like the gang that couldn't shoot straight in economic development," said Sheheen.
In the South Carolina Senate, procedural rules are different than in the House, and senators can filibuster a proposal if they aim to kill it off. Sources tell WACH Fox News at least two Republican senators may be willing do that.
The Amazon sales tax exemption was originally brokered by the Sanford administration.
With the Senate having only a short time to take up the Amazon issue before they break for the summer, should this be a priority? Leave a comment below and weigh in.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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