S.C. Senate panel explores ways to ease property tax burdens

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) — South Carolina senators are considering changes to the state’s tax system as residents push for lower property taxes and local governments warn about the effect on essential services.A Senate subcommittee met for the third time ahead of the upcoming legislative session. Property taxes were the focus of the meeting.Lawmakers said they are hearing from residents across the state who want their property tax bills lowered. Counties, cities and towns said those taxes help pay for services including law enforcement and infrastructure maintenance.Counties propose a change to education fundingLocal governments warned that reducing property tax revenue could leave them facing difficult decisions about how to pay for those services.Some counties are proposing that the state take on a larger share of education funding. They said that could help ease the burden on local property taxpayers.Sen. Sean Bennett, R-Dorchester, said lawmakers are trying to determine whether t