Senate Republicans offer another plan to fix SC roads

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Senate Republicans say they have a plan to raise more money for roads and give South Carolinians income tax cuts.

Majority Leader Harvey Peeler of Gaffney announced the plan Thursday.

It would raise the gas tax by 12 cents a gallon as well as other fees to get an extra $800 million for the state’s roads.

It also would reduce income tax rate brackets by 1 percentage point, cutting taxes by about $710 million.

The plan also allows the governor to appoint the entire transportation department board, which would then pick a leader for the agency.

Senate President Hugh Leatherman of Florence did not attend the news conference by his fellow-Republican.

But Peeler says he thinks the plan is a compromise that the Senate, House and governor can all accept.