There’s a growing trend in the United States: as crime, taxes, and liberal initiatives continue to rise in blue states, residents by the thousands are seeking greener pastures only to be found in red states. But as those Republican-led states are finding out, all that growth is causing some problems.
And so, one lawmaker is proposing a “Yankee tax” to help solve it.
Welcome to South Carolina, the third fastest growing state in the nation, behind Texas and Florida, of course.
Here, New Yorkers, those from New Jersey, and even Ohioans are moving by the hundreds to the southern red state. Why? Well, because if you didn’t know, their home states have become riddled with over-the-top property taxes, violent crime rates through the roof, and leaders who only care about their bottom dollar. Suffice it to say that they aren’t exactly the kind of place where you want to raise a family.
In comparison, states like South Carolina offer a much lower cost of living, cheaper housing prices and rates, and what some would call an all-around freer way of living.
But as those like Republican state Senator Stephen Goldfinch has pointed out, all the growth in the state is doing a number of their infrastructure.
As Goldfinch told WCBD-TV, “Because of the high growth, we’re just not able to keep up with infrastructure, the schools, the roads, the bridges, the utilities, and the green space that we need in order to keep our quality of life.”
If something doesn’t change, and fast, Goldfinch and others fear their beautiful Palmetto State will soon start to look and feel like the places where all these newcomers traveled from – minus the colder temps, of course.
And so, Goldfinch is proposing a bill that would install a “Yankee tax” on all newcomers. Basically, they would be additional fees when those from out of state apply for a South Carolina driver’s license ($250) or when registering an out-of-state vehicle (another $250).
So far, it seems the bill will have a good amount of support. Those like Guynn Savage, the mayor of Fort Mill, noted that the population there has quadrupled in the past decade. And unfortunately, “growth does not pay for growth.”
He explained that while everyone benefits from growth in some ways, like new restaurants, a new park, or some other new service, all of that takes money. And currently, most municipalities are struggling to keep up under the strain of growth they are experiencing.
According to Goldfinch, should his law be passed, the state could earn as much as $250 million over the course of the next decade, which will go a long way in maintaining their beloved quality of southern life.
Now, that’s an estimate because the bill is not necessarily a statewide thing. Instead, it would allow each county to choose whether or not to implement it. Some counties, where high growth isn’t so much a thing, might opt out, whereas areas like Fort Mill will likely choose to go ahead full steam.
Some of you might be saying, but won’t another tax convince those incoming people that South Carolina isn’t any different from where they came from? Goldfinch thinks no.
For starters, these individuals are saving thousands by just looking at property taxes. Another $500 is rather small potatoes in comparison. Besides, if they know that those fees go towards bettering schools, roads, etc., there shouldn’t be a problem with it.
And if there is, well, Goldfinch doesn’t want those kinds of people in South Carolina anyway.
Additionally, Goldfinch has pointed out that he would be willing to accept certain exemptions for the measure. One could be that military personnel living in the state wouldn’t have to pay these, as being stationed in the state isn’t exactly a choice, and many often choose to remain there even after their service is complete.
In any case, it seems like a good idea. Now, if only they could find a way to keep liberal ideas out of the state…