Governor Haley Signs Roads Bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Gov. Nikki Haley has signed a bill that would jump-start improvements to South Carolina’s deteriorating roads through borrowing.

The Legislature’s approval last week of the compromise followed nearly two years of senators blocking any proposal that increased the state’s 16-cents-per-gallon gas tax.

The bill allows for $2.2 billion in borrowing over 10 years for infrastructure, funded with $200 million annually in existing fees and vehicle sales taxes.

Opponents of hiking gas taxes, including Haley, insisted on first restructuring the Department of Transportation. The compromise makes leadership changes. But they aren’t what the governor wanted.

Commissioners would still oversee the agency, and legislators would have final say over who’s appointed.