House Changes Could Kill S.C. Roads Bill

The South Carolina House made changes Wednesday to the roads bill that has been debated for more than a year, leading senators and the governor say the proposal is likely dead for the year.

South Carolina roads will still likely get more money. The House has placed an extra $400 million in its budget it sent to the Senate.

But Wednesday’s amendment greatly reduces the chances of reforming how commissioners are chosen to the board that helps run the Department of Transportation. Many lawmakers have said that is a critical first step toward getting closer to the extra $1 billion a year the road agency has said it needs to get state highways back to good condition.

The House could have agreed to the Senate road bill, which allows Gov. Nikki Haley to appoint all members of the DOT board with Senate approval. But instead, the House changed the bill to have approval by the House and Senate.