Gov. McMaster Vetoes Gas Tax Bill

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- Governor Henry McMaster has vetoed the bill that would increase South Carolina’s gas tax to fund road construction.

McMaster posted a video to Facebook explaining why he vetoed the gas tax bill that was passed by the general assembly Tuesday afternoon.

In the video McMaster said:

“Today I vetoed the General Assembly’s gas tax bill, and I would like to tell you why.

Right now, over one-fourth of your gas tax dollars are not used for road repairs. They’re siphoned off for government agency overhead and programs that have nothing to do with roads. Then, much of what’s left is spent on the wrong roads – roads with almost no traffic.

If we would simply reform how DOT spends your tax dollars to be responsible and accountable, we’d have plenty of money – and this gas tax hike would be totally unnecessary.

Unfortunately, raising taxes was the only solution seriously considered by the legislature. Small businesses, young people, and seniors will get hit the hardest – many of them are barely making it now. And the system remains dysfunctional.

South Carolina is a great place – and you deserve better than this.”

Although McMaster vetoed the bill, an override is expected.

Once implemented the bill will eventually raise more than $600,000,000 a year for roadwork.