NO, THAT HEADLINE ISN’T BACKWARD …
Welcome to “Republican-controlled” South Carolina …
Here, a pair of powerful “GOP” State Senators are pushing a tax increase on gasoline, even though Palmetto State residents pay a higher percentage of income on fuel costs than residents of any other state (save Mississippi). But that doesn’t matter to these “Republicans.” They are all about sticking to the taxpayer every way they can …
Don’t believe us? Click here and here …
This website adamantly opposes a gas tax hike. Always have.
But we are especially vociferous in our opposition after state lawmakers – and S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley – borrowed at least half a billion last year to pour into the state’s broken transportation system.
That’s even worse than a tax hike … it’s deficit spending. And this money is being pumped into a bloated, inefficient system that places political projects ahead of legitimate needs.
Consider this: South Carolina administers the nation’s fourth-largest highway system – a whopping 41,613 miles of state-maintained roadways. That’s absolutely ridiculous for a state that ranks No. 40 nationally in terms of size (and No. 24 in terms of population).
Now consider this: According to data compiled by the Reason Foundation, South Carolina ranked second in the nation in total taxpayer disbursements per mile in 2007. In 2008 and 2009 – the latest years for which data is available – the Palmetto State led the nation in tax money spent per mile of state-maintained roads. Meanwhile from 2007-09 South Carolina led the nation in taxpayer disbursements per mile of bridges.
But hey … the “Republican” way apparently consists of continuing to tax, borrow and flush new money on this broken system.
Standing in opposition to this failed approach? A Democrat – S.C. Rep. Bakari Sellers – who has previously proposed a gas tax cut.
Sellers announced this week his intention to oppose any plan to raise the gas tax in South Carolina – Democrat or Republican.
“We don’t need a gas tax increase. What we need is a serious plan to modernize and streamline our transportation delivery system – and a dedicated source of new revenue to meet prioritized needs, not political favors,” Sellers said in a statement. “It’s not lack of funding, or taxes that are too low that have caused our roads to fall in disrepair, it’s politicians who have their priorities out of whack. And now, instead of solving the problem they want to place the burden of fixing our roads on individuals who can least afford it along with small businesses.”
Exactly.
“We cannot take money from South Carolinians – who already spend a disproportionately high amount of their paychecks on fuel – and throw it into an unsustainable system that isn’t meeting their needs,” Sellers continued. “What we can do is fix the system first – and then fund top priorities.”
Sellers isn’t just talking the talk, either, he’s reportedly preparing a funding plan in the coming weeks to address spending priorities across state government … something that’s been sorely lacking in “GOP-controlled” South Carolina for decades.
Yeah … if you’re scratching your head right now, stop. You didn’t misread anything. A black Democrat (named Bakari) is fighting against a massive tax increase being pushed by a pair of good ‘ol boy “Republicans” (named Hugh and Ray) – one of whom makes bank off of the proceeds of that tax.
Which is the party of limited government again?
Props to Sellers for engaging this battle. Let’s just hope he gets some support in his efforts …
21 comments
Good for Bakari…I’m not going to say he’s on the right track until I undersand his new “funding source”…because that still sounds like a tax increase to me.
a tax by any other name… and Sic Willie fell for it.
How would Sellers fund fixing our roads then? empty platitudes and craven pandering … no wonder Sellers does well in SC politics
Hell, I’m a Democrat and think this guy is nothing but an opportunistic, ego-driven typical politician who did nothing prior to getting elected to the House but use his last name to get into law school, and then get elected to the House. We need an increase in the gas tax that is specifically earmarked to road and bridge repair. Unfortunately, nobody has the balls to suggest an increase, and the Governess of course doesn’t want any tax increase on her record as she seeks higher office.
There is a reason when one travels into NG or GA the roads get much better – their higher gas taxes. I would much rather pay a higher gas tax than continually pay the costs to repair my cars as I drive these shitty SC roads.
Good for Bakari. At least he understands the issue and sees that the Republicrats have no plan to fix roads and bridges. Look at Lexington County–to get their sales tax penny in November to fix bridges, pave dirt roads and deal with inadequate roads due to growth they have to pander to including median planters, zoos, athletic facilities, etc. in order to get the votes. Hey, if Hughie and the good ol’ boys aren’t going to fix it then lets at least see what Bakari has to offer and if it makes sense then support him.
They need the revenue and our roads and bridges are in embarrassingly awful shape. It’s a user fee. Get over it.
“They need the revenue and our roads and bridges are in embarrassingly awful shape. ”
The question isn’t whether they need revenue, it’s whether the revenue they are getting all goes towards roads and bridges and if so, is it being used efficiently.
As much as pols would like to demagogue and claim they don’t have enough money, that simply is up for debate.
If they want to end the debate, they first need to make sure every penny allocated for roads GOES TO ROADS!
Does Bakari plan for Transportation professionals from the Clyburn Transportation Center at SC State to maintain roads in the future?
Just the blacktop roads.
Separate but equal.
Clyburn Transportation Center
Diverting money from that bottomless pit to infrastructure maintenance would be a positive step.
(save Mississippi)
——-
from your lips to God’s ears!
If a gas tax hike went exclusively to repairing existing roads and bridges, I would support it. If it would go primarily to pork barrel spending as it has in the past, I am very much opposed. In other words, until pork barrel politicians like Limehouse, Stavrinakis, Harrell, and Haley all convert to Islam and swear off pork, I will never support this hike.
Where’s Grand Tango on this Republican march? I know he has a vested interest in getting some yards mowed this spring…
Speaking of Bakari’s support for guns everywhere —
http://www.wach.com/news/story.aspx?id=1002912#.UvGYwP3bfjQ
He is against an increase in the gas tax in favor of a dedicated source of revenue. What the hell is this guy talking about? This is bullshit.
All you have to do is to look at Sellers history. He was for a gas tax increase, before he was against it. After the Trayvon Martin shooting, Sellers introduced legislation to roll back “Stand Your Ground” self-defense law. So Sellers was against the self-defense law before he voted for the CWP holders to take their weapons into restaurants. http://buswk.co/1n9V7NB
In October, 2012 in a forum, the Republican candidate stated the election should be about; Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Sellers then stated we’ve brought jobs to Barnwell County.
Apparently, Sellers has failed to review the historical trend of the unemployment rate for the forgotten corner of the state (Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Orangeburg Counties). These counties for a decade has lead the state in terms of the highest unemployment rate.
Sellers is a big government Democrat and thinks government is the answer to all problems.
Part of Barnwell County is in HD #90, which is the district he was elected to serve. You never see Sellers in the county, occasionally at election time.
You know, if wages weren’t so low in SC the percentages would be better. SC is in the top 10 for paying LESS in gas taxes than other states. The roads and bridges are in a real mess and dangerous. Let’s get them fixed. K?
Here are the ten states that pay the most in state gas taxes:
New York 50.6
California 48.7
Hawaii 47.1
Connecticut 45.0
Illinois 39.1
Michigan 38.7
Indiana 38.0
North Carolina 37.8
Washington 37.5
Florida 35.5
And the ten states that pay the least in state gas taxes:
Alaska 8.0
Wyoming 14.0
New Jersey 14.5
South Carolina 16.8
Oklahoma 17.0
Missouri 17.3
Mississippi 18.8
New Mexico 18.9
Arizona 19.0
New Hampshire 19.6
Have you ever been to Illinois, The roads are horrible, They charge 3.00 to go from Rockton Illinois to Chicago at 6 toll booths to get there. I90 has been getting fixed for the last 40 years. Back home in 2012 and Wow they DO NOT use the money for the roads even to this day. Update you in May when I go back!! Oh and By the way That is 1 of the reason’s 2 of their Govs are in JAIL. Gee Brad Hutto you mention something about a toll road in you neck of the woods!!!
Alas poor Bakari, I hear little more than wrapped soda straws rustling in the wind, making a law that could, as simply do what a staid agency could do if shaken up like the driver’s license folks were. Election year hot air.
If they’ll fix the Farrow Road bridge over I-77 I’d give a nickel a gallon. However, if they spend 1 red cent on anything but fixing the road we have, the whole herd needs to be impeached.