Welcome to another episode of Stronger Bonds! In this installment, hosts Emily Luther and Ray Jones return after a brief hiatus to continue their deep dive into one of South Carolina's most transformative pieces of tax legislation—Act 388. Picking up where they left off in their Act 388 series, Ray and Emily are joined by a special guest: Vincent Sheheen, former state senator, mayor of Camden, attorney, and author—who was actually in the room during Act 388’s genesis.

Together, they unpack the insider story behind the bill, discuss the driving forces and key players that shaped its passage, and explore the compromises that shifted property tax reform in new and sometimes controversial directions. Listeners will get exclusive insights into the legislative process, hear stories from the Senate floor (including the legendary “chicken box” negotiations), and learn about the far-reaching impact of Act 388 on local governments, schools, and South Carolina’s future.

Plus, stick around for the always-fun Around the Counter segment, where the team shares their favorite local “hole in the wall” lunch spots—and invites listeners to send in their own recommendations.

Whether you’re a property tax aficionado, a local government pro, or just hungry for a fun lunch recommendation, this episode promises sharp insights, candid conversation, and a peek behind the legislative curtain. Thanks for joining us on Stronger Bonds, where we talk all things government, development, taxes, finance, and yes—lunch!

• Act 388 of 2006: South Carolina Legislature Online
• Vincent’s Book: https://uscpress.com/The-Concise-Guide-to-South-Carolina-State-Government
• The Honorable Vincent A. Sheheen, Mayor of Camden, SC: Your Guide to Camden, SC
• Vincent A. Sheheen, Attorney & Mediator - Savage, Royall, & Sheheen

00:00 Introduction

03:38 Municipal Millage Levying Questions

06:42 Improving Act 388 Impact

12:23 School Funding's Impact on Property Tax

13:08 Key Legislative Leaders Unite

17:27 Property Tax Revolution and Impacts

22:23 Property Tax Impact on Housing Market

24:05 Senate Compromise on Property Tax

28:07 Tax Breaks Hinder Economic Growth

31:58 Millage Cap Exemptions for Counties

34:02 Property Tax Reform for Education

35:51 Writing South Carolina's Government Guide

41:56 Favorite Hole-in-the-Wall Lunches?

45:28 Exploring Act 388 Insights

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.

Welcome to another episode of Stronger Bonds, the podcast where Emily Luther and Ray Jones dive into the world of government development, taxes, and finance. In this episode, recorded live from the bustling concourse of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Emily and Ray bring listeners the experience of the South Carolina Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Spring Conference—an event that unites public finance professionals from across the state.

Ray and Emily sit down with Patrick Jarvis, committee chair and conference planner for the SC GFOA, to talk about the importance of connection, community, and professional development within government finance. Patrick shares insights on the history and mission of the GFOA, the value of continuing education for finance officers, and the importance of bridging collaboration for fiscal success—the conference’s central theme.

Later, the conversation turns to Walter Goldsmith, CEO of First Tryon Advisors, who unpacks the vital role of municipal advisors in public finance transactions. Walter breaks down how his firm helps cities and counties navigate the complexities of borrowing for critical public projects and reflects on what it means to be a true fiduciary for clients in a rapidly changing financial landscape.

Along the way, Emily and Ray circle back on questions from previous episodes around state tax structure and municipal millage, all while sharing a peek into the organized chaos of their own lives during the hectic month of May.

Whether you’re a seasoned government finance pro or simply curious about how fiscal decisions shape communities, this episode offers a lively insider’s look into the networks, challenges, and collaborations that keep our public institutions running strong.

Hosts:

• Emily Luther - https://www.parkerpoe.com/attorneys/emily-s-luther
• Ray Jones - https://www.parkerpoe.com/attorneys/ray-e-jones
• Parker Poe - https://www.parkerpoe.com/

Links:

• Government Finance Officers Association of South Carolina - https://gfoasc.org/
• Patrick Jarvis - https://www.sccommerce.com/about/leadership-directors/patrick-jarvis
• Walter Goldsmith - https://www.firsttryon.com/bios/walter-goldsmith/

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.

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.