(Columbia, SC) – House Speaker Jay Lucas (District 65-Darlington) issued the following statement after the House passed a series of amendments to appropriate an additional $415 million to DOT for FY2016-17. The breakdown of the funds includes giving $365 million to the SCDOT’s State Highway Fund and a $50 million increase to County Transportation Committees (CTCs).
“Over the past three years, the House has set aside over $1 billion in additional general fund revenue for road repair. This year we did not change course and once again prioritized infrastructure funding by appropriating an additional $415 million to fix our roads. A majority of South Carolina drivers and businesses depend upon local routes and highways for everyday use. More than half of these roads are in critical need of maintenance or repair. To address this problem, the House directed an overwhelming majority of the $415 million towards our primary road system. We stand ready to work with Secretary Christy Hall so that we can keep South Carolina drivers safe and improve the condition of our deteriorating infrastructure.”