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ISSUE NUMBER 166 THE TOWN CRIER APRIL 2017

The Sandifer Update: State budget passes the House
By Rep. Bill Sandifer

In recent weeks, your S.C. House of Representatives has been working to pass
the state budget. This budget determines how your hard-earned tax dollars will be
spent during the upcoming fiscal year beginning in July. Although new revenue for the
state is scarce compared with recent years, I am pleased to report that our budget
provides additional money for schools and sets aside money to help struggling fami-
lies who are recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew.
The state budget plan directs about $100 million to upgrade K-12 schools in our state, particularly to
help refurbish dilapidated schools in high-poverty districts. This includes schools in 39 of our state’s rural
counties, which is long overdue. Additionally, it raises the per-student funding schools receive and provides
funding to replace aging and potentially unsafe school busses. The budget also provides $3.6 million for
grants to increase innovation.
We voted to use money from our state’s ―Rainy Day Fund‖ to help with Hurricane Matthew cleanup
costs, offsetting high totals incurred by state agencies and local governments. One example is that we
voted to set aside $700,000 for Nichols in Marion County where most homes remain vacant five months
after the massive flooding.
For road repairs, after hours of debate, the House voted 97 to 18 to make changes that would raise
about $600 million annually for repairs to South Carolina’s failing roads and bridges. I have heard from
countless constituents that fixing our roads is their top priority, so I was a sponsor of the roads bill. I am
happy it provides a long-term solution. The bill creates a new Infrastructure Maintenance Trust Fund that
only could be used for repairs, maintenance, and improvements to the existing transportation system. It
raises funding through a boost of the state's 16.75-cents-per-gallon gas tax 10 cents over five years, in-
creases the sales tax cap on vehicle purchases from $300 to $500, and increases vehicle registration fees
to $16 every other year. It also would create a $250 one-time fee registration fee for people moving into the
state. The legislation also takes steps to restructure the S.C. Department of Transportation, calling for
Highway Commissioners to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the General As-
sembly. My goal is to boldly reform the DOT to make it transparent and accountable.

The budget and the roads bill now head to the Senate and I will keep you updated on the progress.

In closing, I want to mention the business reform bills I introduced this year since much has been said
and written recently. I introduced the bills because I have heard from countless businesses over many
years that the business license process and fee structure is very burdensome. My goal is to help busi-
nesses, while at the same time making the process fair for cities. We currently are looking at changes that
respectfully address the interests of both sides.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me about these bills. I love hearing from you! It is truly an
honor to be of service to you. I am available and at your service. My door is always open!

Bill Sandifer represents Oconee County’s District 2 in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Sandifer can be
reached at (864) 885-2240 or bill@sandifer.us. You also can connect with him on Facebook.

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