South Carolina Statehouse Blog

Speaker Harrell Makes TRAC Appointments

Making SC’s tax structure competitive, central goal of appointments

(Columbia, SC) - Today, House Speaker Bobby Harrell announced his appointments to the South Carolina Tax Realignment Commission (TRAC). Focusing on our state’s need for a fair tax structure that will better promote a positive business climate and economic growth, Speaker Harrell appointed Jimmy Addison and Jack Shuler to serve on the Commission.

As appointees to the Commission, Mr. Shuler and Mr. Addison will play an integral role in conducting a comprehensive study of our state’s tax system. The Commission will assess the effectiveness, fairness and competitiveness of our current system and recommend changes to the General Assembly.

Speaker Harrell said, “Decades of additions and tweaks has produced a state tax structure that is convoluted and complicated with no unified goal guiding our state’s revenue. Creating a system that fairly represents the people and businesses of South Carolina should be the central goal of this Commission. Made up entirely of non-legislators, the TRAC Commission will bring an outside perspective to this debate and will focus on making our tax system and our state more competitive.”

Jimmy Addison:

Holding a Bachelor of Science and a Masters Degree in Accounting, Jimmy Addison has a deep background in accounting. A certified public accountant, Mr. Addison has worked for Deloitte and Touche’s Charlotte and Columbia offices and currently serves as a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for SCANA Corporation.

Harrell commented, “A certified public accountant with senior management experience, Jimmy brings valuable real-world knowledge to the Tax Realignment Commission. Cutting through red tape and using common sense solutions to produce results is something Jimmy has applied throughout his career and will serve him well working on this Commission.”

Jack Shuler:

Jack Shuler has over 35 years of business experience. Currently, Mr. Shuler is the President and Chief Executive Officer of ArborOne Financial in Florence. ArborOne Financial is the largest retail lender to agriculture headquartered in South Carolina with approximately $900 million in managed assets. Possessing a Masters Degree in Business and Graduate Degrees in Banking, Mr. Shuler has substantial academic background in finance.

“Jack’s extensive background in finance and business will be a true asset to the Tax Realignment Commission,” said Speaker Harrell. “With over 35 years of business experience, Jack’s knowledge of how to run a successful company will help the Commission shape our state’s tax code into a structure that promotes a healthy business climate and will help facilitate economic growth.”