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Better Roads Save Lives

The SCDOT has announced that the SCDOT Commission recently approved the second phase of the agency’s Rural Roads Safety Program. Phase 2 will address safety improvements on 446 miles roads across the state. A full list of the phase 2 projects can be viewed here.

This comes as year two of the Act 40 money phase-in began on July 1, 2018 and proves the agency is on course and continues to make progress in carrying out the difficult task addressing the state’s infrastructure needs.

According to the press release, over the past year (phase 1), SCDOT has already awarded contracts totaling 187 miles of safety improvements in with another 276 miles in phase 1 currently under development. The Commission’s approval for phase 2 includes the start of an additional 446 miles of safety improvements across South Carolina. This constitutes a total of 909 miles in projects approved for development.

According to SCDOT, the types of safety improvements will vary and will be designed specifically for each road. They include rumble strips, wider and brighter pavement markings, brighter signs, high-friction surface treatments, wider/paved shoulders, improved clear zones, guardrails, cable barriers, eliminating vertical drop-offs along pavement edges and beveling of driveway pipes.

“South Carolina’s fatality rate is the highest in the nation, and this program is attacking that problem mile by mile,” said Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall. “SCDOT is targeting the ‘worst of the worst’ roads in our state with our Rural Roads Safety Program.”

SCFOR commends the SCDOT for establishing a long-term plan to address improvements to our roads that enhance safety. We applaud the agency on progress that has been and will continue to be made as they work to #fixscroads and make commutes safer for drivers across the state.

SCDOT Press Release: “Rural Roads Safety Program Phase II Approved by SCDOT Commission ” 07/31/18

Fuel Tax to Increase July 1, 2018

Beginning Sunday, July 1, South Carolina’s fuel tax will increase two cents per gallon, brining the statewide total to 20.75 cents per gallon. The revenue generated from this increase goes directly to the Infrastructure Maintenance Trust Fund to be used on the repairs to existing roads and bridges across the state.

Despite the increase, our gas receipts will still be among the cheapest in the nation. For example, here’s how much you would be paying in state taxes/fees to fill up in our sister states.

South Carolina taxpayers are eligible for an income tax credit to offset the increase in the motor fuel user fee. The SC Department of Revenue’s website offers more information on eligibility and how to claim this tax credit.

SC Voters Support Road Funding

Legislators who were defeated in the primary elections were not defeated by candidates who were against road funding in general. In fact, based on SCFOR’s review of the primary races, legislators who faced candidates who strongly opposed the increase in the gas tax were successfully reelected – most by very large margins.

These victories come on the heels of campaign rhetoric from candidates that say, “the money was there” and that “reforms” would fix roads. As many of us know, these very issues have been a part of the conversation since the road funding debate began 5 years ago. If roads could truly be fixed without increases in taxes/fees, believe us, that would have been done a long time ago. Unfortunately, the current condition of our roads and bridges is the result of years of under-funding. The legislature understood this and acted.

Funding South Carolina’s transportation infrastructure is a multifaceted issue and unfortunately, campaigns tend to downplay the complexity of it all. The good news is, voters have clearly paid attention over the past few years and the educational efforts of SCFOR and our allies has paid off. It’s safe to say that voters overwhelmingly supported good public policy over politics in the SC primary elections.

SCFOR is proud to see voters support legislators who support good public policy. Once again, we want to congratulate all our friends who won their primary elections!

SCDOT Ahead of Schedule and Putting Your Dollars to Work!

On Tuesday, SCDOT Secretary Christy Hall announced that the SCDOT has had a record breaking year in the first year of the agency’s 10-year plan to rebuild the state’s roads and bridges. The official release cites the progress that has been made following the Legislature’s action to generate additional investments in our state’s infrastructure – here’s a few highlights:

Making History: The amount of road work underway on the state’s highways has exceeded $3 Billion, which is three times the normal level of work and the first time this amount of work has been underway in SCDOT’s history.

Rural Roads Safety: SC Ranks #1 in the Nation in highway fatality rates. SCDOT aimed to address 100 miles per year; however, to date, 187 miles of safety improvements have already been awarded.

Pavements: The overall goal of the pavement program was to improve the quality of SC’s roads by 3% per year, and to date there has been nearly 5% pavement improvement.

Bridges: Currently, there are 51 bridges under construction across the state. The 10-year goal is to replace 465 bridges. This program is on schedule and within the next 12 months, another 41 bridges are scheduled to go to construction.

Interstate Widenings: The plan is to improve 140 miles of interstates over the decade and 70 miles are currently under contract. The plan designates that a minimum of $5 billion should be invested over the course of 10 years. $1 billion of projects is underway in the Upstate (I-85) and within the next 12-18 months another $1 billion will be underway in the Midlands (Malfunction Junction). Following these projects, there will be improvements to the existing I-526 in Charleston.

Thanks to the SC Legislature and the SCDOT, a safer and smoother ride is in store for drivers in South Carolina. While our infrastructure woes can’t be fixed overnight, this shows that progress is being made and your dollars are being put to work to #fixscroads.

Learn more about projects in your area here.

SCDOT Press Release: “SCDOT’S 10-Year Plan is Ahead of Schedule in Year #1” 06/18/18

If You Wait Until November to Vote, it’s Too Late

Primaries are arguably the most important phase of an election, yet voter turnout for primary elections is always dismal.

The act of voting is your opportunity for choosing the person who most resembles your own belief system. Regardless of the outcome, your vote sends a message, letting politicians know what is important to you. So, when you don’t show up, you let others speak for you, and chances are they are a lot different than you.

Cindi Ross Scoppe addressed voter turnout in The State this week. Scoppe offered some personal insight as to why voters skip the primaries and how it is detrimental to the political system. She says there is a price for sitting on the sidelines during the primary election:

“The primaries are decided by people who are farther to the left and the right than the people who don’t vote. They’re decided by people who are angrier. By people who demand ideological purity, who consider compromise a dirty word. Primary voters tend to punish candidates who work across party lines — which of course creates a self-perpetuating cycle…so come November, those in the sensible center are stuck with candidates who are farther to the left or the right than they are, with people who are less interested in working for pragmatic solutions than they are…”

The road funding issue is a prime example of how political ideologies can conflict with even the most responsible and realistic solutions to a problem. While no one likes a tax or fee increase, sometimes they are necessary, and serve as the most equitable and effective policy solution. This was most certainly the case with Act 40 in 2017.

SC Legislators shouldn’t be punished for investing in our state and putting the welfare and quality of life of people above political ideologies.

Heed Ms. Scoppe’s warning and no matter how far right, left, or in the middle you are, just simply exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, June 12. It’s important.

Motor Fuel User Fee Increase

The motor fuel user fee (aka “the gas tax”) has been, and continues to be, the predominant source of state funding for our roads and bridges. Prior to Act 40 of 2017, the motor fuel user fee was among the lowest in the nation and had not been adjusted since 1987.

Act 40 increased the fee by 12 cents per gallon, which is phased-in by 2 cents annually over a 6-year period. Currently, drivers who fill up in South Carolina are paying 18.75 cents per gallon. (This rate will increase to 20.75 cents per gallon on July 1, 2018 and will continue to increase annually by two cents until it reaches 28.75 cents in 2022.)

For comparison, here’s how much you’d be paying in state fees on fuel in our sister states:

All of the money from the increase in the motor fuel user fee goes directly to the infrastructure maintenance trust fund, which “must be used exclusively for the repairs, maintenance, and improvements to the existing transportation system.”

This fund serves as a lockbox to ensure the revenues are used solely on improvements to the existing system.

Governor Calls for Audit of C-Funds and CTCs

Governor Henry McMaster issued a letter to the State Inspector General, Brian Lamkin, at the same time he issued the letter to Secretary Hall. In the letter, the Governor requests an investigation and analysis of the C-Fund Program and County Transportation Committees (CTCs). Specifically, he references the recent SCDOT Structural Efficiencies Study which highlighted problems with the CTC process:

“The Study found that C Program project decisions are made at the discretion of each CTC, with no “consistent or prescribed methodology in place for assessing asset conditions or determining needs and priorities.” Study, pg. 69. While I support local officials making local decisions, I find the above statement troubling as counties need a system in place to prioritize projects.”

McMaster specifically requests that the investigation look at the inspection and review of the CTC’s program processes, including how the counties create transportation plans, decision-making protocols, the efficiency of utilizing third-parties in comparison to SCDOT services, and other practices and procedures.

“As appropriate and pursuant to your statutory authority, I further request that you and your office recommend policies and carry out other activities designed to deter, detect, and eradicate fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, violations of state or federal law, and wrongdoing… During this review, should you determine that there is reasonable cause to believe that waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, or wrongdoing has occurred or is occurring in connection with the CTCs, please be advised that you must report the suspected conduct to me…”

No date or deadline for completion was provided in the letter.

Governor Calls for Independent Audit of SC Bridges

This week, Governor Henry McMaster issued a letter to SCDOT Secretary Christy Hall, requesting an independent audit of 8,428 bridges in the state.

McMaster calls for the audit in an effort to reassure the motoring public about the safety of bridges across the state, writing:

“Given the unexpected nature of the Bridge closure, it is imperative that SCDOT take additional steps to reassure public officials and the public at large that all South Carolina bridges are safe and properly maintained.”

In addition, he requested that the SCDOT answer questions specifically related to the Wando Bridge and provide written answers to him and members of the General Assembly.

The letter does not set a timeline or deadline for completion of the third-party audit. However, the results of the audit must be provided to members of the General Assembly and the public.

Motor Fuel User Fee

For comparison, here’s how much you’d be paying in state fees on fuel in our sister states – which ironically enough, have better roads than us.

This fund serves as a lockbox to ensure the revenues are used solely on improvements to the existing system.

McMaster Continues to Revamp SCDOT Commission

The legislature has approved Governor McMaster’s at-large Commissioners for the SCDOT Commission, Kristen Blanchard (Fort Mill) and James McLawhorn (Columbia).

Mrs. Blanchard is the Vice President of External Corporate Affairs at Nutramax Laboratories in Lancaster, SC. Mr. McLawhorn is the President & CEO of the Columbia Urban League.

In addition, the 6th Congressional delegation has also approved Barnwell Fishburne to the Commission. Mr. Fishburne is the President of Fishburne and Company Development Corporation, a real estate firm based in Walterboro, SC.

The new Commissioners are expected to be sworn in before the next Commission meeting.