McMaster Vetoes Roads Bill; Override Likely
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 12:34AM
Editor

Making good on his promise, Gov. Henry McMaster vetoed a proposal Tuesday to raise taxes and fees to pay to repair South Carolina’s crumbling roads.

However, both the S.C. House and Senate passed the plan by super-majorities, meaning they easily should override the Republican governor’s veto. They could do so as early as Wednesday. 

The Transportation Department has estimated it needs an added $1 billion a year to repair S.C. roads and bridges.

After more than two years of debate, senators voted Monday – 32-12 – and state representatives voted Tuesday – 99-20 – to increase the state’s gas tax by 12 cents a gallon and increase other driving fees to provide about $630 million a year of that added money.

However, late Tuesday, McMaster vetoed the road repair bill, which also included tax cuts.

“If we would simply reform how DOT spends your tax dollars to be responsible and accountable, we’d have plenty of money – and this gas tax hike would be totally unnecessary,” McMaster said in a video veto message on his social media account. 

Article originally appeared on The Anderson Observer (http://andersonobserver.squarespace.com/).
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