Watch: Senate Passes 2nd Reading of Roads Bill

Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — Late Wednesday afternoon, the Senate passed the second reading of a bill to fix the state’s roads and bridges.

In a 30 to 15 vote, the senate advanced the roads bill to a third reading on Thursday.

“This was a long road to get here, we had to hit many pot holes before we came to this point of second reading but we were able to pull it off,” said Senator Larry Grooms.

The bill allocates roughly $400 million in recurring money from the state’s general fund and gives the Governor the power to appoint the DOT’s commission board. In addition, it does not include a gas tax, which was a major part of the fight for the Republican majority.

“I don’t know how you can get a more conservative plan that offers results and reform,” said Senator Grooms.

However, several Democratic Senators put up a fight against the amendment arguing it is not a ‘roads bill’ and rather called it a ‘patch act.’

“Anyone that thinks they are getting a roads bill is getting fooled, this is a scam, it’s bait and switch,” said Senator Joel Lourie.

Senator  Lourie said the bill will not fix the roads long-term because there is no promise the funding will be available year-to-year.

“There’s no dedicated revenue,” explained Senator Lourie. “This money could disappear before budget, it could certainly disappear next year, it will disappear when the economy takes a southward turn again.”

Several of the Democratic Senators also voiced their concerns that the funding for roads coming out of the state’s general fund will take away from funding for education and local government.

The bill will be up for a third reading on Thursday. If it passes, it heads to the Senate.