Voters pass three referendums
Posted by The Skyliner on September 8th, 2000Pamela Kelly
Staff Writer
South Carolina voters passed all three referendums that were on the statewide ballots.
The lottery referendum passed with a 10 point margin. Pro-lottery advocates are pleased with the results.
“The voters have spoken loudly,” Gov. Jim Hodges said. “They believe in scholarships for well-deserved students in South Carolina.”
The “No Lottery” coalition announced defeat around 9 p.m. and gave encouraging speeches to fellow anti-lottery advocates.
“We support full funding for education,” said Mike Hammett, anti-lottery advocate. “We now want legislators to find other funds to support our education system so there will be no need for the lottery in South Carolina.”
The passing of this referendum now gives the South Carolina legislature full power to establish a state-funded education lottery. However, this does not mean the legislature has to create the lottery.
“I do not think that education will get any money from the state-sponsored lottery,” said Andrea Berry, NGC honors student.
But, according to supporters of the lottery, they expect the lotter to be in place no later than July 2001 with the profits of the lottery going to education.
“Among 46 percent of the voters who voted to keep South Carolina lottery free were educators,” said Dick Jensen, assistant professor of mass communication and director of Palmetto Educators Against the Lottery. “I am thankful for their support. We must now focus on the legislature as they plan where the money goes for the lottery. We have to keep them honest and heading in the right direction.”
The other referendums were overshadowed by the lottery debate but were focused on lowering and gradually doing away with car taxes.
The referendums to lower car taxes but increase property taxes. The referendum to replace car taxes with a higher sales tax passed with a major majority of the vote.
Both referendums passed with at least a 30 point lead.
Tags: Fall 2000, Vol. 100 Fall - Issue 5