PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Taft Matney                                 Phone: 864/505-8866

Date: November 21, 2006                                                                         E-Mail: taft@taftmatney.com

County Council to Consider Illegal, Unethical Tax Increase

Parks Plan is a “Bait and Switch”

(November 21, 2006 -- Greenville, SC) Conservatives In Action (CIA) today challenged the Greenville County Recreation District’s hospitality tax and urged County Council to send the matter before voters.

"The Greenville County Recreation District’s 2 cent hospitality tax proposal is illegal, unethical and irresponsible. It is also a bait and switch plan that is duping well-meaning and well-deserving supporting organizations who truly fall under the state’s laws for hospitality tax imposition. If the people are to bear the brunt of the county’s largest single tax increase, give them all of the information and let them decide in a referendum," said CIA spokesman Taft Matney.

Under the SC Code of Laws, Section 6-1-730 states that revenue generated by a hospitality tax must be used exclusively for:

• tourism-related buildings including, but not limited to, civic centers, coliseums, and aquariums;

• tourism-related cultural, recreational, or historic facilities;

• beach access and renourishment;

• highways, roads, streets, and bridges providing access to tourist destinations;

• advertisements and promotions related to tourism development; or

• water and sewer infrastructure to serve tourism-related demand.

None of these provisions are a true part of the parks plan, according to Matney.

“While recreational facilities are beneficial to any community, especially one that is growing at Greenville County’s rate, the bottom line is that this plan does not fall within the scope of state law. The recreation district is attempting to skirt the law by forming a coalition of cultural and historic facilities and promising them the lion’s share of the generated revenue, but an amendment to the proposal will likely sunset it and rob true tourism draws from what they were promised. Let’s face it. Nobody says, ‘Let’s vacation there because they have nice parks.’ The rec district knows it, and that’s why they’re trying this bait and switch on their coalition,” Matney added.

Matney said that if the recreation district needs additional funding, he understands but that the voters should make the decision.

“Four years ago, hospitality industry leaders threatened legal action if Greenville County imposed a hospitality tax for parks because they knew then like we know now that parks are not tourism destinations. They are community amenities. If the recreation district wants the tax revenue, they shouldn’t lie about it and create a plan under false pretenses. Let them be true and honest and make their case for the voters to decide. Today, we call upon Greenville County Council to allow citizens to have an opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box.”

Greenville County Council will debate the issue and hear citizen concerns tonight at 6:30 in council chambers at County Square. Concerned residents who wish to speak on the matter should arrive by 6:00 to sign the speaker list.

Audio actualities of Matney's remarks are available for download as MP3 files or may be individually e-mailed.

Matney Clip 1 -- The H-Tax is Illegal (Download)

Matney Clip 2 -- Parks are amenities (Download)

Matney Clip 3 -- Let the voters decide (Download)

About Conservatives In Action
Conservatives in Action (CIA) is a non-profit, 501(c)4 organization dedicated to giving voice to principles of conservative, common sense government in South Carolina -- supporting lower taxes to expand economic opportunity, spending limits to enhance fiscal discipline in government, market-based reforms to elevate educational achievement and smaller government to ensure each personal freedoms.

Founded in 2005, CIA aims to educate like-minded conservatives who believe in these principles with a goal of creating an active, engaged, informed and politically influential group of conservative citizens who can and will hold elected leaders accountable for their actions.

Additional information regarding Conservatives in Action can be found at www.ConservativesAct.com.

To make inquiries regarding this release, please contact Taft Matney by phone (864/505-8866), by fax (864/297-3871), or by e-mail (taft@taftmatney.com).

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