Here’s good news affecting your taxes.

The SC Senate has adopted a rule to require disclosure of “earmarks.”

Earmarks are money for local projects written into the state spending plan.

An example is the millions of dollars in state tax money being spent to bring the Carolina Panthers training facility to Rock Hill.

This is an expense Sen. Dick Harpootlian who represents the Irmo area and other senators have questioned

For years earmarks were slipped quietly into the budget. It was a way for lawmakers to get tax dollars fo their pet projects.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey who represents western Lexington County said the Senate will publish a list that:

• Identifies local projects in the budget.

• Explains each project and its cost.

• Names senators who requested the money.

“I still fight to remove earmarks for local parks, swimming pools, museums, and legislators’ favorite nonprofits,” Sen. Massey said.

“I’m not a fan of the legislature spending taxpayer dollars on local pet projects. It’s even worse when those projects are hidden in the budget.”