The tax-increase flavor of the month, is the gas tax. Some legislators, including some Republicans, for years have called for a gas tax increase as a means of funding road and bridge repair. These same Republicans, and their Democrat allies, of course always have voted against proposals, like the half a dozen that I have authored or cosponsored in the last few years, to use the money that we actually have on hand to fund our roads. Now they, including Governor Haley, have a new scheme; raise the gas tax now and in return the promise of future decreases in the income tax. Many of you remember Wimpy in the old Popeye cartoons who would “gladly pay you on Tuesday for a hamburger today.” Well, Wimpy never paid up, and you likely never will get your income tax reduction.
Governor Haley’s scheme relies upon certain levels of your money coming into Columbia to trigger income tax reduction. If those levels aren’t met, say during the natural cycle of economic downturns, you don’t get the tax reduction. Notice that I didn’t say the gas tax also doesn’t rise. The gas tax increase is on autopilot, the income tax decrease… we’ll just have to wait and see. We have all seen this before, and I know that you’re not fooled, and I’m not either. The most troubling aspect of this proposal, though, is that we have Governor Haley advocating for a tax increase after she advocated against it. Governor Haley could not have been more adamant, especially when she was asking for your vote last year, that she will veto any gas tax increase. But now she supports a gas tax increase as part of a bigger scheme, and you just need to trust that the scheme will work. Folks, this doesn’t have to be this complicated. We have plenty of money in Columbia, especially if we stop expanding Medicaid with every surplus dollar that comes through the door, and the only thing that I will support is using the money that we have to fix our roads. I hope that enough conservatives will stand with me to fight off yet another tax increase.
[…] Here is what Senator Shane Martin has to say to his constituents on Gov. Haley’s current NON-election year gas tax scheme: […]
YOU ARE SO RIGHT! I know you will stick to your guns, and urge your fellow lawmakers to do the same. THANK YOU for being the voice of reason.
Sen, Martin,
Why not run it like a sound business! Start by listing how many gallons a year are taxed. Second, change the way the SC Hwy. Dept. is managed, run it like a business! Third, run some programs which show how many gallons sold/year would decrease for each 1 cent increase of tax. Come to a businesslike decision and get on with it. Easy – peasy.
Under the theory that if we tax cigarettes to reduce smoking so we will get less smoking, I hate being taxed for going to work. I do want a reduction in income taxes but only if it is tax neutral or a tax reduction and it immediately tied to the same legislation and time frame of the gas tax. No wiggle room. No loopholes. No exceptions. No delays. I also believe the legislation should be for maintenance only of existing roads to be used for vehicles greater than 3000 lbs. No bike trails, light rail, walking trails, etc. The citizens there can vote for such measures with local funds.
I agred with you !!! Fixing the roads in SC is a must, but I agree raising one Tax on the promise of reducing state income tax is unlikely. Let’s be sure we explore all options before any additional funds taken from the citizens of SC.
Shane, thanks for standing strong against a gas tax increase. I agree 100% that our roads must be maintained and repaired, but as long as the present gas tax monies go into the general fund (to be spent on other items) there should not be a discussion about more taxes. It is sad to see many conservatives and conservative groups throwing up their hands and agreeing that a higher gas tax is the only way to solve the problem.
I stand firmly against gas tax increases because I believe that far too much of our tax dollars is spent foolishly by our legislature. I’m retired and on a fixed income that does not keep up with the cost of living and this would be a further drain on my income. I advocate that our governor and our legislature look at becoming better stewards of our tax dollars and then there should be plenty of money for the roads.
I support you Shane, you have common sense. Something that seems to be missing when the Legislature meets. Most just want our tax money to waste on stupid things. Thanks
I agree with you.The roads are the veins of our economic activity.Maintaining them is a legitimate function of government.There can be no excuse for this not to be budgeted for in previous years,as we all use the roads for commerce.Thanks for having your head on straight Shane.
Thanks Shane!
Senator,
This is not an original thought of mine, but a very sound idea that is hopefully being considered… place a moratorium on new roads and bridges until repairs are caught up, without raising taxes. Do you hear this being discussed in Columbia and do you feel there is a chance it may gain enough traction to actually have a chance at being strongly considered?
She ever so lied about her taxes never will i raise them. that was what she used to get elected for another term. I guess we are all old and can not read, but we can and people do not like to be lied too. so now nobody will ever believe her on anything again. keep up the good work and vote it down.
I don’t understand why our representatives hang their heads like they just got caught watching pornography on their computer when they say SC has one of the lowest gas taxes in the country. It seems to me this should be an accomplishment of which to be proud… other states should be trying to get to our level, not vice versa! Of course I can understand that it would be a political sin to allow the constituents to maintain a little jingle in their pockets. Seems that for this to be such a free country, very few stones have been left unturned when it comes to taxation. Take pride in the low gas tax!
I agree. No new taxes…at all, of any kind. Reduce the ones we are now paying. Get our government on a constitutional operating path and the need for 80% of the tax money will go away.
The last stat I heard about the gas tax was that 4.8 cents of each gallon’s current tax is spent on roads. Why not require that all gas tax monies be spent to maintain, repair and build roads. After all, that’s what was used to dupe the public into going along with it in the first place.
If there is a surplus, then worry about bike/running trails if they can be built without taking over someone’s property with eminent domain. The construction of biking and running trails, while benefitting a few, aren’t in the general interest and for the general good of the public. Same goes for all the mass-transit schemes to put light rail, here, there, and everywhere. We all know it can’t and never does pay for itself.
Run DOT like a business. Those who save the taxpayers money while getting good quality jobs done should be praised, maybe even a bonus. Those who don’t do well, get terrible jobs done, are extravagant with taxpayer money, get gone. Just as in business…if you aren’t an asset, you’re gone.
Shane
I would like to see an accounting of the money that has been allocated for roads and bridges in the past 3 years and see if it is being spent on
on roads and bridges or administrative costs as I expect!
Thank you, Senator Martin, for your leadership concerning this gas tax increase!
I wholeheartedly agree with your stand.
Larry Jones
I sincerely hope that you will do everything possible to ensure this tax increase is defeated. Politicians need t budget the monies already collected through current taxes to fund the government. Since most taxes are a percentage, if I get a raise, the government gets a raise. When taxes are increased, that leaves less and less of my hard earned money in my pocket. NO MORE TAX INCREASES. BALANCE YOUR BUDGET LIKE I BALANCE MINE.
Thank you Senator Martin for sticking to your guns on this one also. I appreciate the way you represent us.