Gov. Haley Weighs in on Denied Bond Package

[gtxvideo vid=”yl4GxsoB” playlist=”” pid=”rkijshg2″ thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/yl4GxsoB.jpg” vtitle=”Governor Haley on Bonds Package”]

Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — Governor Nikki Haley is defending her opposition of a bond package that may have gone a long way to repairing state roads. A proposal to borrow $500 million dollars for building projects across the state failed in the State House, a measure to which to Governor was strongly opposed. The bond package would have gone towards projects spanning from a new children’s hospital in Charleston to several higher education projects across the state. Governor Nikki Haley is speaking out for the first time this week since a $500 million dollar bond package failed on the House floor last week. “There’s a time and a place for a bond,” said Governor Haley. “That’s when you want to borrow money for long-term infrastructure needs, things that aren’t you’re normal cause of business, you don’t do it for a wish-list.” Governor Haley has been strongly opposed to the bond package from the start. She says the state has almost $400 million dollars in new money, so borrowing half a billion dollars doesn’t make sense. “It defies all logic,” Governor Haley explained. Todd Rutherford, the House Minority Leader, says the Governor played a role in preventing the bond from passing. “It’s disturbing that the Governor interfered in the process relegated to the South Carolina House,” said Rep. Rutherford. He calls the Governor a “cyber-bully” for using social media to rally support from South Carolinians against the bond. “I am very aware families are busy, they don’t always get to watch the news or read the newspaper and sometimes my way of reaching them is through social media,” explained Governor Haley. “It works.” As for why the bond didn’t pass, The Governor says she thinks house members didn’t like the secrecy when it was created. “This bond package was put together in the 13th hour by a small group of legislatures behind closed doors and they didn’t even share it with their house colleagues,” said Governor Haley. She adds, the voice of taxpayers also played a role. “They contacted their legislatures and they got loud,” said Governor Haley. “Hats off, the win went to taxpayers this week for stepping up and doing something about it.” The Governor says the fight isn’t over yet. She says the Senate could also try to borrow money.