Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The S.C. Department of Transporation has slashed funding to local groups working to make major highway improvements.
The cuts and mandate to now pave equate to about a 40 percent funding decrease for SPATS. Its annual budget will drop from $4.5 million to $2.7 million.
SCDOT is bloated at the top, and I think if it was restructured and organized, then we could get more done and quicker, without the constant problems that the SCDOT gives us...
At the same time though, we need to be shifting our focus away from everything cars to a more balanced system of cars, trains, and buses. We can't keep adding roads, expanding, repaving, improving, etc and expect to pay the same amount, and personally, I don't feel it's worth it to pay more.
We have the 3rd cheapest gas tax in the country at 16.8 cents / gallon (only Wyoming, Alaska and NJ are cheaper). I would be willing to being closer to the average if it resulted in a higher quality of life with better roads and more transportation options.
We have the 3rd cheapest gas tax in the country at 16.8 cents / gallon (only Wyoming, Alaska and NJ are cheaper). I would be willing to being closer to the average if it resulted in a higher quality of life with better roads and more transportation options.
That is true...though that idea makes me glad I already left. I couldn't afford my gas as was along with all the other expenses of a vehicle, so I'm glad I'm now somewhere where I never have to worry what gas is.
That is true...though that idea makes me glad I already left. I couldn't afford my gas as was along with all the other expenses of a vehicle, so I'm glad I'm now somewhere where I never have to worry what gas is.
If you are glad you left the Upstate why are you on here posting all the time about how we need to change?
The S.C. Department of Transporation has slashed funding to local groups working to make major highway improvements.
The cuts and mandate to now pave equate to about a 40 percent funding decrease for SPATS. Its annual budget will drop from $4.5 million to $2.7 million.
Should we be worried here? The press is reporting "Slashes" in funding and we have a government official talking about KILLING and BOMBS? I don't know all the details of the funding issues regarding SCDOT, MPO, and SPATS but I do know this article is a perfect example of a local government official partnering up with the local press to produce a dramatic story in an effort to keep as many tax dollars flowing into their agencies as possible.
I guess something like “SCDOT’s Efforts to Control Spending will Impact Local Projects” and "We will be working closely with SCDOT to determine the most cost effective way to maintain and improve the roads in the Spartanburg area.” just don’t get the juices flowing like "SCDOT Slashes Funding for Local Projects”, "This absolutely kills us" and "It's like a bomb being thrown."
Last edited by Back2Gville; 08-31-2012 at 09:08 AM..
We have the 3rd cheapest gas tax in the country at 16.8 cents / gallon (only Wyoming, Alaska and NJ are cheaper). I would be willing to being closer to the average if it resulted in a higher quality of life with better roads and more transportation options.
Wow, really? Any higher and no one will be able to afford to drive on those nice new roads. Four years ago the average price for a gallon of gas was $1.89. Enough already!!
Wow, really? Any higher and no one will be able to afford to drive on those nice new roads. Four years ago the average price for a gallon of gas was $1.89. Enough already!!
Gas is going to continue to rise, though. In four more years, we'll be saying "the average price used to be $3.89!" and unless we figure something out, we'll be using that expensive gas on terrible roads. People in other states can buy the gas they need, even when it costs 20% more than ours.
As gas prices climb, we'll drive more fuel efficient cars, to compensate. Engines today are becoming more powerful with less gas than ever, it's really fascinating to see them evolve. We'll probably drive more fuel-less cars in the near future.
Someone's got to pay for our road improvements, why not the people who buy the fuel? It makes sense that the ones using more gas pay for more of the maintenance costs. If one can afford to drive a 15mpg pickup or SUV, they'd better be able to pay for the fuel, otherwise there are plenty of cars or vehicles getting 40mpg. I don't think we're entitled to cheap gas, we've just happened to have it in the US for a long time.
Not a tangent against you Sophiasmommy, I was just thinking about the conundrum we're facing. I'm not sure why Back2Gville put "slashes" in quotes, though. 40% is very significant and I'm sure it will disrupt their work. I think the wording used is appropriate to those being affected.
I'm originally from one of those states with a high gas tax (Connecticut) and the roads there are terrible. Higher taxes does not equal better service, it's not that simple. These state departments are bloated and need to be streamlined to deliver a better product for tax payers.
I'm originally from one of those states with a high gas tax (Connecticut) and the roads there are terrible. Higher taxes does not equal better service, it's not that simple. These state departments are bloated and need to be streamlined to deliver a better product for tax payers.
True, I grew up in Illinois, and the roads were and are awful there.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
WOW: Slashing, Killing, and Bombing!!!
