South Carolina’s upcoming legislative session could feature a battle between representatives from inland counties and legislators from coastal communities over funding for highway and bridge construction and maintenance, according to a web report from TV station WSPA (CBS Channel 7): (“Money for SC Roads Could Be Regional Battle at Statehouse,” by Robert Kittle).
State Senator Harvey Peeler, representing Gaffney, told the station that communities in the 864 and 803 area codes get shortchanged on road expenditures, as compared to the coastal area code 843 (which includes the coastal city of Charleston). According to Gaffney, that practice has deprived inland Interstate 85 of needed improvements. But South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission Chairman Eddie Adams said that the state DOT doesn’t actually spend more money in coastal areas; instead, he said, those communities have more money of their own to spend on roads because they have chosen to apply an optional 1% local sales tax that is earmarked for road work.
