In this episode of Stronger Bonds, Emily Luther and Ray Jones kick off a special multi-part series focused on one of the most important—and often misunderstood—topics in South Carolina local government: Act 388.

Emily and Ray open the conversation by laying down the groundwork for understanding property taxes, the "lifeblood" of local government revenue across cities, counties, and school districts. They break down the basic property tax equation, demystifying terms like assessed value, millage rates, and assessment ratios, and highlighting why these tax dollars play such a pivotal role in funding everything from police cars to public schools.

After offering this property tax primer, Emily and Ray set the stage for why Act 388 represents such a seismic shift in how local governments operate. They reflect on the nearly 20 years since its passage, using real-world examples (and even a little home renovation humor) to illustrate how this legislation fundamentally changed both the way property values are assessed and how taxes are collected—especially for schools.

The episode also teases upcoming interviews with people who were on the frontlines of Act 388’s creation and those wrestling with its ongoing effects. Whether you’re a policy wonk, a taxpayer curious about why your bill looks the way it does, or someone involved in local government, this is the perfect place to build your foundational understanding before diving deeper into Act 388’s impact throughout the rest of the series.

Don’t forget to subscribe—and if you have questions you’d like Emily and Ray to address in this series, send them along to strongerbonds@parkerpoe.com. Get ready for a clear, candid, and sometimes surprising look at one of South Carolina’s most consequential pieces of legislation!

Time Stamps:

00:00 Property Taxes: Essential Local Revenue

05:27 Property Tax Calculation Explained

08:12 Property Appraisal Methods Explained

10:18 Property Reassessment Timing Explained

13:34 Manufacturing Property Tax Reduction Impact

17:41 Variable Mill Value in Counties

20:08 Variable Revenue, Consistent Costs

22:48 Debt Service Millage Explained

28:32 Supreme Court School Bond Case

30:13 Impact of the Great Swap

34:20 Act 388 Property Tax Cap

36:02 Taxation Shift Mechanism Explained

41:06 Act 388: Strict Millage Cap

43:37 Negative Population Growth and Inflation Impacts

48:02 Act 388's Impact on Local Governance

48:44 Negotiation and School District Challenges

Do you have a question, a topic idea, or a request? Please email us at StrongerBonds@parkerpoe.com.

Stronger Bonds is recorded and produced by Robby Woodard.

If you like golf, check out BestBall.com...your clubhouse for insightful golf content and stories that matter.