The South Carolina Senate approved legislation to dedicate $400 million per year from the General Fund to the state Department of Transportation. After weeks of debate on road funding, including an extended filibuster, the measure passed 30-15 on March 9 with lawmakers largely voting along party lines. Critics of the bill stated the plan provides insufficient road funding and redirects revenue that should be used for other purposes.
The legislation will now go to the state House – where a bill was passed earlier this year to increase the state gas tax and transportation-related fees to fund transportation improvements – for consideration . Gov. Nikki Haley (R) expressed her support for the Senate’s plan on social media late Wednesday and urged the House to approve it.