The state budget passed on Wednesday. The House and Senate did not have a conference committee on the budget, and this lack of transparency and opportunity for public input was one reason I voted against it.

This literally was a backroom negotiation, and it was presented late on Wednesday to the Senate as a done deal. I am extremely disappointed in the manner that this was done. Another reason for my opposition was the long list of pork projects contained in this year’s budget. Special earmarks for local projects, such as the refurbishment of a tourist attraction in Columbia, unfortunately have reappeared as the economy has improved.

These projects soak up money that could go to roads or law enforcement or DSS, and I cannot support a budget that includes them. This year’s budget also allowed only pennies in new money for roads as Senators preferred to stake their claim to a gas tax bill that, fortunately, did not pass. The refusal to spend the tax dollars that you already send to Columbia on basic infrastructure also caused my no vote.

I will keep fighting for roads next year, and hopefully your voices will be heard in Columbia.