News and Press Releases for August 2007

GOVERNOR ALSO REITERATES ABSURDITY OF BUILDING LONE STAR TO RIMINI BRIDGE DESPITE OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS

August 6, 2007

Columbia, S.C. – In light of several policy makers’ calls for increasing South Carolinians’ gas taxes, Gov. Mark Sanford today reminded pro-tax leaders in the General Assembly of the need to make sure every available dollar already budgeted for infrastructure is going toward its intended purpose before considering new funding streams.

An audit last year found a number of problems at the state DOT, including overpaying by tens of millions of dollars for contracts, purposefully manipulating account balances, and violating state law on hiring practices for temporary employees. All told, the report found more than $60 million wasted by the agency that could have been used for infrastructure needs in South Carolina. Gov. Sanford said that the DOT – now a part of the governor’s Cabinet and led by Buck Limehouse – must make sure those problems have been addressed before additional funding is considered.

As well, Gov. Sanford noted that South Carolina is already spending more than the southeastern and national average on transportation, and that DOT’s budget grew 122.5 percent from 1995 to 2007, outpacing the 77 percent growth in other state spending over the same period.

“When you look at the numbers, it’s clear that our state could be doing more to make sure that our infrastructure dollars are going to where they’re needed most, and that we could be doing a better job with the dollars already in the system,” Gov. Sanford said. “We don’t think it makes sense to talk about raising taxes on hard-working South Carolinians until the issue of getting the most out of existing dollars is fully addressed.”

Gov. Sanford also pointed to the absurdity of building the $150 million Lone Star to Rimini bridge, when DOT plans to spend less than that on total bridge maintenance -- for all of the bridges in the state -- over the coming year.

“I think nothing better illustrates our state’s lack of infrastructure prioritization than the fact that we’re poised to spend $150 million on a brand new bridge over endangered wetlands, when there’s another bridge six miles down the road in need of repair. The need for maintenance has been well-documented in news accounts across the state, while many people in South Carolina could no doubt tell stories about brand new four-lane highways from one very quiet spot to another, when other roads and bridges seem to be neglected. We’re hopeful that under the new leadership at DOT, we’ll begin to address this problem of roads being built on a political basis rather than on a merit basis, and by doing so give South Carolinians the kind of infrastructure they deserve.”