Even though the SC Senate is reluctant to move on highway funding, the House of Representatives moves its highway funding bill another wrung up the latter.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell and several other House members sponsored a bill earlier this year that would move the sales tax on road vehicles, which is capped at $300; this bill moves the revenue from the State General Fund to the State Highway Fund where it is to be used for road maintenance.

As written, this bill sends the $10 Million of the sales tax on automobiles and trucks from the General Fund to the Highway Fund the first year and then adds $30 Million a year until it reaches its cap at $100 Million. However, in this tight budget year, these numbers may be changed.  Nevertheless, the SC Alliance to Fix Our Roads (SC FOR) does not see lowering the actual money from the fund as problematic.  This group, of which ACEC-SC is a member, would like to put more money into the pipe for road maintenance, understands codifying these funds for this use is important. In a better budget year, the amount of the funds may be set later.