Letter: SC top priority must be infrastructure

I read with great interest the article on the spending priorities for Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster. Permit me to make one change and that is to move infrastructure spending into first place. This is an absolute must.

The benefits are numerous. Passing infrastructure legislation would create jobs ... some long-term. The workers who get these infrastructure jobs become taxpayers who return tax revenue to the South Carolina coffers and their wages are spent in South Carolina.

In order to accomplish this, the legislature must pass an increase in the gas tax and probably additional taxes. I dislike tax increases as much as the next guy. However, if we are to protect and improve our roads, rails, and bridges; we must bite the bullet and go for an additional 10 cents in gasoline tax. I am only saying what has to be said.

This story was originally published December 1, 2016 at 12:01 PM with the headline "Letter: SC top priority must be infrastructure."