Gov. Henry McMaster suggested Wednesday a way to fix South Carolina’s crumbling roads is to let the Department of Transportation keep more of the state gas taxes currently paid at the pump. McMaster said raising the tax is not the answer.
According to data from the DOT, much of the required diversions actually do go toward roadwork. McMaster’s taking a more emphatic tone than last month, when he called an increase a last resort and said he was unconvinced it’s needed.
But, unlike his predecessor Gov. Nikki Haley, he issued no veto threat. McMaster declined to say Wednesday what he’d do if proposals advancing in the Legislature reach his desk.