S.C. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR LEADS CHORUS OF OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
Palmetto State lieutenant governor Kevin Bryant rallied opponents of a proposed gasoline tax increase this week – urging them to insist upon long-overdue reform and better fiscal responsibility from their “leaders” in Columbia, S.C.
“I’ve got one very simple message,” Bryant told a crowd gathered at the S.C. State House in opposition to the tax hike. “I’m asking South Carolinians to insist on two things: Make the Department of Transportation a pure cabinet agency and hands off your wallet. It’s that simple.”
Three weeks ago an overwhelming majority of so-called Republicans in the S.C. House of Representatives voted in favor of a massive $1.8 billion, five-year tax hike – most of it coming in the form of higher gas taxes.
Beginning in FY 2021-2022 – a recurring annual tax increase of $532 million would remain in place permanently.
The GOP-controlled House voted for these higher taxes despite the fact that budgets for the scandal-scarred, woefully managed S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) have more than doubled in the past seven years – and despite the fact that the state’s budget is projected to grow by another $1 billion in the coming fiscal year.
Where is all that money going? Good question …
State government’s approach to “fixing roads” is apparently identical to its approach to educating children: More cash = Bigger failure.
The House bill would only perpetuate the state’s corrupt highway funding system – which is controlled by a legislatively appointed commission that has routinely put politics ahead of pressing infrastructure needs.
Will the bill pass?
In each of the past two years, proposed gas tax bills have died in the State Senate thanks to the efforts of fiscally conservative Senator Tom Davis – who has successfully filibustered against the tax increases.
Davis has vowed to wage another filibuster this year …
Assuming a gas tax increase were to clear the Senate, it faces an uncertain future on the desk of S.C. governor Henry McMaster. While McMaster hasn’t pledged to veto the proposal, he has spoken out strongly against raising taxes.
Banner via Facebook