I-73 makes progress with state leaders

January 30, 2009 by admin

As officials have gone back and forth on whether the state will receive stimulus funding for the proposed I-73 project, some state lawmakers and local officials are looking for ways to generate money right here in the Palmetto State. That was on the agenda in Columbia Thursday as officials met before the Northeastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) I-73 Committee to discuss funding the project.

Supporters of the proposed interstate project have been fighting an uphill battle with some state leaders, including Governor Mark Sanford and state transportation officials.

“We didn’t think it would be this hard to convince our own leaders, but the jobs we need in the Pee Dee and the jobs estimated by economist Don Shunk has convinced many leaders now is the time to start I-73,” said Brad Dean, President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Until Thursday, state transportation officials had stressed that I-73 was not shovel ready, while supporters of the project strongly disagreed. Meanwhile, the governor has been an opponent of accepting federal stimulus dollars, saying spending has gotten out of hand.

“The governor doesn’t want to get the money to build this, so it’s a vital problem that we need to put in the hands of the people accountable not the hands of one person,” said Senator Luke Rankin, (R) Horry County.

Senator Rankin proposed a bill Thursday that would give legislators, not the governor, the power to appoint the state secretary of transportation. Rankin tells NewsChannel 15 this could prevent one or two people from blocking an effort supported by many, such as I-73.

“The governor is single-handedly able to deny the state these funds,” stressed Rankin.

Supporters are now hopeful I-73 is gaining traction, especially after an effort to begin raising funds locally. Representative Alan Clemmons of Myrtle Beach proposed a bill creating a multi-county authority. That body’s task would be to implement 3% tax on each total purchase of gas along the I-73 corridor, in Marlboro, Dillon, Marion and Horry Counties.

“I think what we’re hearing from Washington is they’re willing to help with I-73, but they want the state to pitch in as well,” said Dean.

The 3% tax would only apply between April 1st and September 30th, when the highest number of tourists are on those county roads. While the majority of tourists are headed to Horry County, Clemmons tells NewsChannel 15 that locals in the other corridor counties won’t have to foot the bill for the tax, as the tourists will have to drive through those counties in order to get to the Grand Strand. Clemmons said in passing through Marlboro, Dillon and Marion Counties, tourists will often stop and get gas in the Pee Dee, just before driving that final stretch to the beach.

State transportation officials also seem to now be on board with building the project in different phases, piece by piece, a measure they had been reluctant to back previously.

“They acknowledged we can build the interstate in pieces, which we all thought needed to happen. They’re very encouraged about the interchange on 95 along North and South, which would mean jobs in the Pee Dee,” noted Dean.

Many have questioned whether I-73 will receive federal funding. Last week, Senator Lindsay Graham, (R) South Carolina, said he was skeptical the project would get the nod. But local officials tell NewsChannel 15 now that it seems the state can also raise funds to, at least to a degree, match federal aid.

As it stands now, federal stimulus money is expected to be distributed in three different pools: 1) money that needs to be spent within 90 days, 2) obligated funds that need to be spent by August 2010, and 3) grants for projects of regional and national significance that must be started and finished within a few years.

Representative Clemmons said that the I-73 project falls in all three of those pools.

Clemmons tells NewsChannel 15 that “there is no better project that is more qualified in this region to receive funding than I-73.”

By Mola Lenghi
Carolinalive.com

Rankin files bill to reform selection of Transportation Secretary

January 30, 2009 by admin

In an effort to bring more accountability to the state’s top transportation executive office, Senator Luke Rankin on Wednesday introduced legislation that would change the appointment process and require an annual performance review for the position, a news release said.

According to the release, the bill would have the Joint Transportation Review Committee (JTRC), which is already in place, nominate one qualified candidate for the Governor’s consideration as Secretary of Transportation. Should the Governor approve of the nomination, the Secretary would serve a six-year term and could only be removed from office for just cause. The bill specifies that the Secretary has a duty to the citizens of South Carolina to execute his responsibilities in a manner that is most advantageous to the needs of the public. The JTRC would also be responsible for conducting an annual performance review of the Secretary.

“Given the Governor’s oft repeated opposition to any federal assistance, and his silence on behalf of the state’s only congressionally designated project of ‘national and regional significance’, I-73, it is critical that this position be accountable to all of South Carolina and not just one. Because locally elected legislators are more in touch with the people, they better understand the needs of our state and are more accountable.“ Rankin said in the release. “We need to restore common sense to our leadership, and this bill is an attempt to do that,” Rankin added.

The legislation was co-sponsored by Senator Hugh Leatherman, Finance Committee Chairman, Senator John Land, Senator Gerald Malloy and Senator Dick Elliott, the release said.

By David Hart
SC Now