Some states have the benefit of oil & gas revenue (TX, NM, ND, CO, AK, OK, WY, CA). Some states have the benefit of tourism revenue (FL). Some states have far more population (CA, TX, FL, NY). Some states have more hwealth. Some states sacrifice one tax for another (TN = no income tax, but 2nd highest sales tax & 19th in corporate income tax per capita). South Carolina is at a disadvantage in all of the above. However, people want to move & live here. One of the main reasons is our low, stable tax system. According to the latest "Facts & Figures" by the Tax Foundation, SC 48th out of 51 in state & local tax collections per capita as of 2023: - 47th in property taxes paid as percentage of owner-occupied housing value - 37th in state & local individual income tax per capita - 33rd in state & local corporate income tax per capita - 19th in state & local sales tax but 42nd in collections per capita - 31st in gas tax As we have grown over the past 5 years, the SC General Assembly has cut $3.7 BILLION in income taxes rather than spend $3.7 billion. Governmental budgeting is a balance. We obviously have statewide needs, but individual families, especially working families, do as well. I've been proud of this mature, methodical cutting of the income tax to 5.21%.