You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out why billions of dollars go elsewhere.”

What would you think of someone you trusted with your money who did something other than what he promised?
That’s what our taxpayers face on the gas tax hike and other vehicle fees our lawmaker have forced on us.
The gas tax hike lobbyists and backers promised a 12 cent per gallon increase over 6 years would go to reclaiming our crumbling roads and bridges.
Has that happened?
Nearly $1 billion has been collected since you started paying higher gas taxes.
But after more than 2 years, the Department of Transportation has completed less than 20% of repair projects.
Of 1,967 projects in 46 counties, 317, or 16.1%, were completed by last Nov. 30, reported Rick Brundrett of the taxpayers’ watchdog SC Policy Council. 
8 counties had completed less than 10%, including Lexington 7.8%, Richland 7.5% and Charleston only 2.04%.
Only Saluda County, home of Transportation Department chief Christy Hall, had 50% of its projects completed.
Total paving projects ranged from 16 in Saluda County to 126 in Orangeburg County.
During the 2 years, the state collected $963.5 million under the gas tax hike law – $124 million more than the estimated cost of all paving projects. 
That represented nearly 79% of the $1.2 billion in projects.
A special gas tax hike fund has $464.3 million – about 48.2% of collections.
DOT said 80% of 42,000 miles of roads need repair, and 465 of 750 deficient bridges need replacing. Despite lawmakers’ promises, DOT will use $247.2 million to widen interstates.
Sen. Hugh Leatherman’s Interstate Subcommittee wants to step up interstate expansion. 
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out why several billion dollars went to large construction projects in favored counties. Leatherman’s family is in the concrete business.
If you agree this is not what they promised, let your House and Senate members know.
– JerryBellune@ yahoo.com