Sanford: State must spend smarter, not tax more to fix roads

Gov. Mark Sanford issued a news release today to reiterate his position that South Carolina should not raise its gasoline tax to accelerate the repair of substandard roads and bridges.

The state, instead, needs to spend its road maintenance money smarter, according to the governor.

Some S.C. lawmakers have advocated raising the tax to address a backlog of repairs, including $2.9 billion to fix thousands of state bridges that need maintenance. About 100 state bridges need to be replaced, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Sanford said a state audit found S.C. wasted more than $60 million  that could have been used for infrastructure needs. He also said in his news release that South Carolina is already spending more than the southeastern and national average on transportation, and that DOT's budget grew 122.5 percent from 1995 to 2007, outpacing the 77 percent growth in other state spending over the same period. 

"When you look at the numbers, it's clear that our state could be doing more to make sure that our infrastructure dollars are going to where they're needed most, and that we could be doing a better job with the dollars already in the system," Gov. Sanford said.

"We don't think it makes sense to talk about raising taxes on hard-working South Carolinians until the issue of getting the most out of existing dollars is fully addressed."

Comments

[Reason Foundation]

South Carolina has the nation’s second most cost-effective road systems.

[Robert K. Willms]

Having lived for the past 6 years in North Carolina, I have seen benefits of an additional 9 cents state road tax paid since the early 1990's. South Carolina would do well to follow our sister state and look past our short term self interest. We need to protect the lives of all of our citizens against the tragedies unfolding in Minneopolis.

[Hubert]

The DOT wasted all that money building that bridge in Charleston. Wasted the money improving I-26 in the Charleston area. Wasted the money improving US Rt 78 in Charleston. Now they are talking about completing the Mark Clark Express Way in Charleston. Check and see much the DOT has spent in Charleston over the past 5 years....the last 10 years.
Yep..money wasted.