$2.99 not enough? Some think not.

National Average

November 2006 $2.20
November 2007 $3.07

Every elected official (and every citizen) knows we need more funding for our roads. The question is what’s the best way to go about this.

I’m gonna step out on a limb here and tell you a GAS TAX is not going to be something the SC House will support. I certainly won’t. Haven’t heard about the gas tax proposal yet? It’s brewing again in the Legislature but I don’t think it has legs (again).

What my colleagues in the House can (and will) support is a dedicated funding stream for our roads. Led by House Speaker Bobby Harrell, look for dedicated funds for roads (ie – not to be used on anything else) to be included this year in our budget.

I’d like to set aside much more than I think we’ll agree to do but anything is better than what we have now. You’d be amazed at how much it costs to resurface, repair, or improve our roads. It’s really astonishing. The bottom line is this – we can’t fund it enough regardless of the amount we agree upon. That’s not hyperbole; that’s fact. That’s how much our roads are in disrepair.

With $1 billion in new money last year, I had hoped we’d set aside a larger chunk than we did. We should have done more but…well, need I say more?