McMaster Calls Gas Tax Hike ‘Last Resort,’ Doesn’t Threaten Veto

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Gov. Henry McMaster says raising the gas tax should be the “last resort” for fixing South Carolina’s roads but isn’t answering whether he thinks the state has reached such “desperate circumstances.”

McMaster on Wednesday would not directly answer questions on whether he’d support or veto road-funding proposals in the House and Senate that include increasing the state’s 16-cents-per-gallon gas tax.

The Republican governor repeatedly told reporters he’s “not going to raise taxes on our people except as a last resort and circumstances allow nothing else.”

Fixing the state’s crumbling roads and bridges again top legislators’ priority list. Former Gov. Nikki Haley’s threat to veto anything with a gas tax increase stymied efforts for years.

McMaster says he’s still studying the issue. The former lieutenant governor replaced Haley two weeks ago.