Over the next decade, $1 billion will be spent to repair the state's deteriorating roads. Like many states unwilling to raise gas taxes, most will come from transfers from the general fund, though $41.4 million per year will be from car sales taxes.
Adam Beam writes that the two contentious aspects of South Carolina's new transportation bill are that it relies heavily on borrowing and that the amount is insufficient to address the state's transportation needs. In fact, the bill was written by state Senate Minority Leader Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington, as many of the governor's fellow Republicans objected to the borrowing.
The bill allows the Transportation Department to transfer $50 million per year of state surplus funds to the State Infrastructure Bank "to borrow at least $500 million to repair interstates and primary roads." The $41.4 million per year to repair secondary roads would come from reallocating half the state's auto sales tax revenue. "An additional transfer of $50 million in one-time money to repair bridges" would be used to accept up to $250 million in federal funds.
Beam writes that according to the state transportation officials, there will be a $29 billion deficit to address road repairs over the next 20 years. Business groups had been lobbying strongly for increased road funding.
The passage of the bill is significant. Two years ago the state's DOT was in dire financial straits and "had to turn to the federal government for its cash flow problem", as noted here.
Also in The State, Associated Press reporter Jeffrey Collins writes that the 16-cents a gallon state gas tax hasn't been raised since 1987. According to the Tax Foundation, the state has the 47th lowest gas tax in the U.S., though they will be #48 after July 1.
Wyoming, another red state with a 14-cent gas tax, will see a 10-cent increase after Gov. Matt Mead signed legislation last February. Upon signing, he stated that "... the state can no longer afford to subsidize the transportation department from general funds." Like South Carolina's business community, he noted that "the state's highway system is vital to economic development."
FULL STORY: SC Gov. Haley signs $1 billion roads bill

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie