Legislative eNews-november 17
Local
Immigration
The Beaufort County Council passed its immigration ordinance on seconding reading by a vote of 8-2 on Monday evening, with most of the members saying that they need reassurance from an independent legal firm that the ordinance is legal before voting on it a final time. The Council heard over 30 citizens, including a chamber representative, speak in opposition of the draft ordinance. The chamber’s board approved the resolution below on Wednesday of this week. The chamber has raised concerns about the impact the ordinance will have on the ability to operate a business in Beaufort County, as well as the overall economic impact that the ordinance could have on all its citizens. To date, no significant changes have been made to the draft ordinance to meet the business community’s concerns.
The Council will meet again for third reading on Monday, November 27 at 4:00 pm. If your business will be impacted by the ordinance, you should consider contacting County Council members; their contact information can be found www.bcgov.net.
Whereas, the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce believes that illegal immigration must to be addressed in our nation, state, and community, and
Whereas, the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce supports comprehensive immigration reform at the federal, state, and local level provided that such reform pass legal muster, does not impose unnecessary burden on the local business community and can be effectively and fairly enforced. However, the draft immigration ordinance before the Council does not currently meet these provisions, and
Whereas, the ordinance as drafted appears to supersede some requirements and authority of the Federal Immigration Act. The ordinance also appears to impose additional requirements on employers over and above the requirements of federal law, lacks some due process protections, and could potentially open the County and the business community to unforeseen liabilities, and
Whereas, the ordinance could have significant and lasting impact on business operation and continuity within the County, and
Whereas, any ordinance of this scope needs the input from diverse interests across the County, including, but not limited to, those involved in business and industry, health care, education, faith, human services, law enforcement, and legal communities to avoid unintended consequences, and
Whereas, the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce has and will continue to educate the local business community on how to fully comply with all immigration rules and regulations currently required by law, and
Whereas, the ordinance in its current form includes many issues which need far more discussion and consideration by the Council before further action, and
Whereas, the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce is willing to fully participate in the process required in coming to an agreement on an ordinance amongst all impacted parties.
Now therefore be it Resolved, the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce opposes the ordinance in its current form and direction.
Business License Fees
On Monday evening, the Council also voted on a fee schedule increase for those applying for a business license effective January 1, 2007. In addition, the County has been in contact with over 2000 businesses in the unincorporated part of the county to notify them that they are in noncompliance.
Sales Tax Holiday
South Carolina's upcoming November sales tax holiday will offer consumers a break from the state's 5% general sales tax from 12:01 a.m. on November 24, 2006 (Friday) and ending at twelve midnight on November 25, 2006 (Saturday).
The following are important points to remember concerning the one-time sales tax holiday set for November 24th and November 25th of 2006:
1. The one-time sales tax holiday applies to all purchases except accommodations and additional guest charges upon which the tax is imposed under Code Section 12-36-920.
2. The one-time sales tax holiday applies to purchases made by businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations as well as purchases made by individuals.
3. The one-time sales tax holiday only applies to the state sales and use tax, the state casual excise tax and the Catawba Indian tribal sales tax. The one-time sales tax holiday does not apply to sales and use taxes administered and collected by the Department of Revenue on behalf of counties and school districts or to local hospitality taxes and local accommodations taxes collected directly by any county or municipality.
Golf courses, entertainment facilities and other places that collect a 5% admissions tax in lieu of the 5% general sales tax will continue to collect the admissions tax.
Merchants that continue to collect the sales tax during this tax holiday could face fines and penalties of up to $1,000 under another new law passed by the General Assembly.
Federal
Congress Adjourns
House and Senate members have returned to Washington for a lame duck session that could last a little more than two weeks. Both the parties in both houses elected their respective leadership. Congress left behind a lot of unfinished business before departing for elections, including passage of overdue spending bills, trade matters, and tax issues.
The U.S. Chamber, our partner in Washington, is making an aggressive push for votes on eliminating the death tax, reviving the research and development tax credit, extending President Bush's tax cuts beyond 2010, and creating small business health plans. The Chamber is also hoping for progress on immigration reform and energy, as well advancement of trade deals with Vietnam and India.
