House Republicans to Put Forward Two Roads Plans

Legislation offering two different ways to raise more money for South Carolina roads will be introduced in the House this week, House Majority Leader Bruce Bannister said Tuesday.

The bills released Wednesday will include both Gov. Nikki Haley’s plan to increase the state’s gas tax by 10 cents and reduce income tax rates by 2 percentage points over 10 years and a special House committee’s idea to cut the gas tax while adding a sales tax on fuel, Bannister said after House Republicans met behind closed doors for 90 minutes.

Both plans would raise an additional $400 million a year for highways and bridges. Haley was invited to the caucus meeting and promoted her plan for more than 30 minutes. As she left, she said only that she had a good meeting.

Bannister said she was received warmly. But he said members decided it was best to put both plans on the table. He had no prediction which one might get more support.

Leave a comment