By FITSNews || South Carolina’s $21.1 billion state budget could be out of balance by more than $11 million if S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer’s calculations are correct.
That’s because a $6 “annual” vehicle registration fee inserted by Senators last week would actually only be assessed biennially.
“That fee increase will only bring in half of what they’re saying it will,” Bauer told FITS recently. “They don’t even know how much money they’re talking about.”
Last week when the Senate passed its version of the budget, Bauer blasted Senators for failing to fund law enforcement adequately in the budget and instead relying on a fee increase on South Carolina motorists, among other hidden tax hikes.
“Instead of biting the bullet and finding a way to fund law enforcement, they decided to put a bunch of fees in there,” Bauer told FITS at the time.
Bauer ruled the fee increase out of order but the Senate voted 28-14 to reinsert it, a move that its budget writers claim will add $22.7 million to the budget.
Bauer says the number is closer to $11.5 million.
Obviously that’s just a drop in the bucket of the biggest state budget ever, but it will be interesting to see if lawmakers address Bauer’s concerns as the budget continues to make its way toward S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s desk.
By Buzz May 6, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Why don’t they bring back the vehicle inspection program ? There is too much “junk” on the roads these days. It can bring in some money for the state, maybe put some people to work inspecting vehicles, and get some of the crap off the roads causing accidents and raising our insurance rates. There’s a fee that can possibly do some good rather just arbitrarily assessing fees for no good reason. And I’m talking about a REAL inspection program, not that $2.50 thing we had years ago.
By Liberty For Me May 6, 2010 at 2:45 pm
“Buzz”…Now that is a brilliant idea.In fact there should be a law that requires carolinians to repaint their cars every 3 years.That would increase the autobody shop jobs by 200%.Not to mention how much better it would look when driving in traffic.I would also suggest we add $1.oo a gallon gas tax to fund building the inspection stations…(more contruction more jobs)..Now we are cooking
By Michael May 6, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Another good example as to why we should clean out the House and Senate this election cycle. Now is the perfect time to start over.
No incumbent should be left behind!
By SubZeroIQ May 6, 2010 at 5:05 pm
By SubZeroIQ on May 6th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Your comment is awaiting moderation
FITS: Please let me put this comment on all your stories today.
Why did you drop the ball on the Benjamin collision?
It has now become something much bigger and the most serious in South Carolina history. Why? Because Chief of Police Carter refused to appear before the City of Columbia Council, which called him on Wednesday to report on why the investigation was so secret and taking so long.
Now Carter has forced the City Council to cancel its Friday morning meeting meant to require an outside agency to investigate this one and in the future. Carter refused and defied the Council.
One thing cannot happen in America: those armed by the people cannot refuse to answer to the civilian authority elected by the people.
If that happens, we no longer have a democracy but a military or police dictatorship. This is not funny. Please take it seriously. Thanks and God bless.
By Mike May 7, 2010 at 7:05 am
Yea Buzz that’s a swell idea. Lets bring back program that does nothing but keep a bunch of paper pushers employed down in Columbia.
This is certaily an unscientific poll, but every time I come up to a wreck it doesnt seem to be a Pinto and a Dodge Dart invloved.
By TerryB May 7, 2010 at 10:19 am
Hey FITS, can you decode the cryptic mumbo-jumbo on the DMV web site and tell us exactly how much it costs each year, including payroll, pensions, and buildings, to license and register cars in South Carolinistan vs. how much the process brings in? Might we be better off dropping the whole personal property tax process, including driver’s licensing, selling off the buildings, and firing another bunch of government paper-shufflers?
By Cancerman May 7, 2010 at 11:04 am
Those bastards will never give up their pet projects to fund essentail government services in an election year.
By Another Opinion May 9, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Bauer can add? Can any of them add?