Gov. Haley opposes borrowing bill; sponsors tout benefits

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley is accusing the leader of a powerful House committee of running up South Carolina’s credit card with a proposal borrowing $500 million for building projects across the state.

Haley repeatedly singled out Ways and Means Chairman Brian White while opposing a measure his committee advanced last week. She called Wednesday for the House to stop the state’s first bonding bill in 15 years.

But White says the proposal finances needed projects at today’s construction prices while bond rates remain near historic lows, so the credit card analogy doesn’t work.

GOP Rep. Chip Limehouse called the measure a smart budgeting tool to meet needs without raising taxes. Fellow Republican Rep. Kenny Bingham notes it won’t increase what the state spends on interest because old debt is rotating off.