[Billfred]

We had two statewide proposals, then one that affected the Columbia area.

The first ballot question was regarding minibottles. Basically, the state constitution requires bars and restaurants to serve alcohol from sealed, small bottles. We're the only state in the country that requires them, and the fact that the bottles are bigger than most free-poured drinks contain makes our drinks stronger (which supporters of the question say causes extra highway deaths). Either way, the question was whether or not the state should change the constitution to allow free-poured drinks. Approved.

The second ballot question asked whether the constitution should be changed regarding farm property taxes. The current system says that farms owned by corporations with ten or fewer shareholders were taxed at 4%. The proposal was to allow the state legislature to raise the number of shareholders. Rejected.

The final one was a local issue. Both Richland and Lexington counties were pitching a 1% increase in sales tax to offset property taxes. The idea was to shift the burden to people who use the county, but don't own property. Approved on both counts...much to my dismay.