Grand Strand tourism leaders are applauding a move by South Carolina lawmakers to reduce unemployment taxes on businesses.
The measure that passed in the House would repay nearly $1 billion in federal loans over eight years instead of five.
It would also allow employers to pay a lower tax for seasonal workers than for full time, year-round employees.
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce president Brad Dean says it's a more balanced approach than present law and one that will avoid crippling tax increases that could have put some seasonal employers out of business.
"Business taxes are still going to rise but not as much as we thought and thankfully, it looks like we'll get much fairer treatment for seasonal businesses along the Grand Strand."
Dean says some businesses saw their unemployment tax triple over last year.
He says there seems to be a consensus among lawmakers for how to solve the problem, but there's little time left to get it done.
Dean says the proposal is a big step for the House and a much better bill than lawmakers started with. Now, he says, if the bill passes quickly in the SC Senate and is signed by the governor, businesses may be able to hire more seasonal workers for this summer.
