South Carolina's DOT Funding Predicament

The S.C. Dept. of Transportation is so broke that it won't be able to pay its contractors after meeting its payroll. It is depending on a payment from the FHWA and requesting additional reimbursements while rejecting federal funds for education.

1 minute read

August 17, 2011, 6:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


"The governor gave the nod to South Carolina Dept. of Transportation to turn to the federal government for its cash flow problem. But she supports state Superintendent of Education Mick Zais in turning down $144 million in federal cash for schools, allowing the money to be divided up among other states."

"The solution to our education challenges is not a federal bailout," declared the governor's spokesman.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's Democrat opponents were quick to charge 'hypocrisy' and that she was trying to seek favor from the Tea Party constituency which recently made charges against here.

However, by essentially placing the solvency of her DOT in the hands of the US DOT, specifically the the highway trust fund, she placed her transportation department's future in the timely reauthorization of the transportation bill, which, as the NYT editorial notes on Aug 16, is far from certain:

"Reports suggest that some House Republicans may push to let the tax lapse or use the threat of expiration as leverage in the budget wars."

Thanks to DC Streetsblog

Friday, August 12, 2011 in The (Charleston) Post and Courier

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

September 23, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

September 22, 2026 - Washington State Standard

The new busway. The pavement is painted red, indicating it as a bus-only lane.

Buses travel at 5mph along this route in NYC. The Bronx's first-ever busway looks to change that

Prior to the busway, buses on the Bx36 route traveled as slowly as 5 miles per hour.

45 minutes ago - Mass Transit

People cross the street in downtown Pittsburg.

Pittsburg launches 'EZ permits,' aims for one-day turnaround for low-risk permits

The pilot ‘fast lane’ for permits is part of a bundle of modernization efforts for Pittsburg’s permitting process.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

A bus in Singapore at a stop behind a tree, waiting for passengers to get on.

Eating, littering on Singapore buses now a fineable offense

Passengers who put other riders in danger may be charged thousands of Singapore dollars.

2 hours ago - CNN Travel

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design