SC House debating bill that provides $400M more for roads

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House has defeated the first attempt to provide a bigger income tax cut as part of a comprehensive plan to raise more money for state roads.

The defeated amendment would have cut income tax rates by more than 1 percent over 10 years, costing about $900 million.

A number of Republicans say while they support lowering income taxes, the state can’t afford that deep of a cut.

The bill being debated Wednesday would give a total income tax cut of about $50 million — or a $48 yearly savings on most people’s personal income taxes.

The House bill would have drivers pay the equivalent of 10 cents more per gallon for gas, raising more than $400 million additional annually for road and bridge work.