Gov. McMaster opposes suspending South Carolina gas tax as prices hit $4 a gallon

Gov. Henry McMaster is pushing back against growing calls to temporarily suspend South Carolina’s state gas tax, arguing that pausing the revenue stream would jeopardize critical funding for ongoing infrastructure and highway repairs.

The governor’s stance comes as average gas prices reach $4 a gallon across the state, intensifying pressure from drivers, state lawmakers, and gubernatorial candidates urging temporary relief at the pump.

Key Takeaways

• Protecting Infrastructure Dollars: South Carolina currently levies a 28-cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax, revenue that is strictly dedicated to state highway maintenance, road resurfacing, and bridge improvement projects.

• Resisting Short-Term Pauses: McMaster cautioned that suspending the fuel tax would be a “knee-jerk reaction,” emphasizing that removing dedicated road funds would create budgetary shortfalls for multi-billion-dollar road contracts already underway.

• “We Don’t Want to Short Ourselves”: The governor reinforced that while lowering household financial burdens remains a general goal, pulling money directly from transportation funds would ultimately compromise the state’s long-term growth and safety.

• Bipartisan Pressure at the Statehouse: Multiple state lawmakers from both parties, along with candidates seeking statewide office, have proposed a 30- to 60-day tax holiday to provide immediate pocketbook relief to South Carolina motorists.

While neighboring states have occasionally instituted temporary fuel tax pauses during spikes, McMaster signaled that South Carolina will keep its existing funding mechanisms firmly in place to ensure infrastructure commitments remain fully financed.