Senate Amends Roads Bill Hours After Criticism

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) –Senators passed legislation intended to start fixing South Carolina’s crumbling roads hours after House Speaker Jay Lucas blasted their inaction.
The Senate voted late Tuesday to amend a bill that allows for $2 billion of borrowing for highway construction over a decade and makes governance changes to the Department of Transportation.
The amended bill returns to the House.
The vote occurred after Lucas took the podium to say the Senate and Gov. Nikki Haley will be to blame if the potential compromise dies when the session ends Thursday. He said senators must pass a bill now, and Haley should be demanding it.
Senators negotiated behind closed doors for hours over the leadership changes. The House and Senate versions differ in how the DOT commissioners are chosen.