We ran a professional survey on this issue and released the results in a press release statewide. Where media actually picked it up, there were groups all over the state who began using it as leverage in an attempt to persuade their senators not to raise our taxes. At the end of the session, the gas tax which seemed inevitable, didn’t pass, but it hasn’t yet failed either.
I absolutely believe that now is the time for a sustainable solution to our need to repair and maintain our roads and bridges. The gas tax, however, is not it. The Tax Policy Center noted last November that, “For a long time, gas tax revenue increased despite unchanged rates because Americans’ gas consumption (the tax base) consistently grew. However, total gas consumption started decreasing about 10 years ago as per capita miles driven declined and automobile fuel economy increased. Thus, tax rates must now increase to simply maintain revenue levels.” This, obviously, becomes a Sisyphean struggle, doomed to failure.
I believe that the use of general fund revenue, whether surplus in a given year or dedicated annually, is the only true sustainable funding source for our roads and bridges. I have consistently proposed and voted for both, and I will continue to do that in the future.
I also know that without real reform of SCDOT, our infrastructure system will not heal. Senator Davis has educated the Senate over the previous two weeks to the fact that SCDOT prefers, by a great margin (between three and four to one), to spend taxpayer money on new construction instead of maintenance and repair. This means NEW construction is taking place while existing roads are NOT being maintained! Also, taxpayer money sent to the SCDOT has grown substantially (roughly 60%) since 2009–another fact not widely reported.
I trust that you have not been aware of the data noted above. I was not, and I believe that the majority of South Carolinians similarly have been kept in the dark. The debate in which we’ve engaged over the past three weeks has proven helpful, and that is exactly what the Senate is supposed to do on an issue, deliberate and reveal. Now that we have all of the facts on the table, I am confident that we will make good decisions, and not take the easy route of simply hiking the gas tax, which would put South Carolina on the road of dwindling resources.
Last year you said you were working on a solution and would reveal it early this year. I have been kept in the dark, because I do not know what it is.
Why did Senator Davis have information you did not have?
The most knowledgeable business people in SC demanded an increase in the fuel tax and you thumbed your nose at all of us who supported them.
I have only asked your help on two things since you have been my state Senator, and you have said no to both.
It is evident you have no influence in Columbia.
Yeah, business people want HIGHER fuel tax. They can write it off. Average Joe can NOT. Dennis is WRONG. Higher fuel tax may help with roads, but damage to state economy will more than neutralize it.
As you know in Spartanburg County we pay $25.00 per vechile for road repair. If every county charged $25 per vechile how much revenue would be brought in versus an increase in the SC gas tax? The missing ingredient in tax revenues is oversight and accountability. Does Spartanburg County use the income from the $25 to repair our roads or is it used for whatever? When I see a need for higher taxes for schools, I say NO INCREASE IN TAXES FOR SHOOLS unless there are consolidations of school districts and reduce administrative overhead. Teachers are hard workers and put in long hours, they are the ones that need an increas in pay and an increase in their budgets for supplies. SC needs a year 1 to 10 year plan to repair our roads and bridges with the most dangerous bridges being brought up to code pronto using the excess funds. .
Thanks for holding the line on the gas tax Shane! I fully agree that we need to change the DOT and use our tax money wisely. I still have no idea where they use that $25 road maintenance fee in Spartanburg. We have some bad roads here as you know but more taxes is not the answer.
Regarding our roads this year’s session was a total absolute embarrassing failure
– another year will no go by with no new funding plan – probably 2 years isnce next year is election year
– another year, probably 2, no reform at the SCDOT
– and Income taxes no reduction plan as proposed by Gov. Haley
Senator Martin, you’re a good Senator and have my vote still, but gosh darnit you guys should stay in session, 24/7 if necessary until you can pass a plan on all the above. Calling the filibuster by Sen Davis a victory is just a clear example of the failure of the R party to tackle a tough issue. Very cowardly and the leader should resign as he did not lead.
Thank you Shane for standing up for your constituents and saying no to tax increases. It’s evident that we matter too and your vote reflects the will of the people. Not being a friend to the insiders in Columbia is not necessarily a bad thing. You have represented us well!
Shane you have represented us in an excellent fashion. I appreciate your stand on no tax increases no matter what your other constitutes say. You represent ALL the people in your district not just a few. Keep fighting the battles and know you have our support 100%.
Senator Shane Martin, Thank you for your information on the road and bridge proposals. I must admit I don’t understand the difference between having a gas tax increase and needing a revenue fund for this cause.
Also, it sounds like the SCDOT needs to be accountable for better regulation on the use of the funds received, not only for new construction, but for the needed repairs.
State politicians have held road repairs hostage in order to extort more money from their constituents for some time now. Like the party-goer who wakes up broke on a Monday morning and doesn’t know where the money went, the lack of fiscal responsibility was exposed during this last debate. So once again, there is celebration that a tax increase was averted, while the ussues of road repair and tax money waste went unaddressed. While we are thankful we don’t have to give up more of our hard-earned money, we are left with icing but no cake!
Total failure of the SC Republican caucus!
– no plan to fix roads -another year, maybe 2 – no plan
– no plan on how to pay to fix roads
– no change in the DOT structure for more accountability – another kick the can no action
– no income tax reduction
Why is the Senate not still in session? Roads plan were #1 priority. You all get it together !
Thank you thank you thank you for NO MORE TAXES !
1. Show me a government that can’t outspend its revenue. They all do!
2. It is not that SCDOT hasn’t the revenue, it is that SCDOT like all other parts of government has gotten into the “jobs programs.” Walk the halls of the Columbia DOT. PEOPLE everywhere doing nothing.
3. SCDOT has the money.
4. All my life it’s been routine to see SCDOT maintenance crews going out in the mornings maintaining roads. Now? Never see them. Anywhere!! But they are still on the payroll!!!
5. SCDOT has the responsibility of maintaining our roads, NOT creating “make-work” jobs.