Gov. Nikki Haley Calls On General Assembly To Spend $400 Million Budget Surplus Wisely

COLUMBIA, SC – Governor Nikki Haley today called on members of the General Assembly to spend the expected budget surplus – of $400 million – on tax relief, paying down debt or fixing South Carolina’s roads and bridges.

During a Tuesday morning news conference with House members and Senators, including Senator Tom Davis and Representative Tommy Stringer, the governor said, “We are looking at a situation that is a great problem to have – the BEA is going to meet on Friday and we think they’re going to announce an additional $400 million in estimates. What I will tell you is that our state didn’t get to this point by just throwing money out – we got here by being smart. And what I will also tell you is that I strongly believe this won’t be the only year we have this much new money.”

Gov. Nikki Haley says lawmakers better use $400 million likely to be added to the budget this week to give tax breaks, pay down the state’s debt or fix South Carolina’s roads and bridges. The Associated Press Reports: “Surrounded by 25 Republican House and Senate members, Haley said Tuesday she’s not going to specify what she wants, as long as the money goes toward those three things instead of toward legislators’ pet projects.” (Jeffrey Collins, “Haley: Spend extra $400 million on tax cut, debt or roads,” The Associated Press, 5/26/15)

Haley, addressing the media with about 25 lawmakers behind her, said one of three courses would be best for the money: return it in the form of a tax cut, pay down debt or pay for needed road maintenance. (Jeremy Borden, “Haley tells lawmakers to spend budget surplus wisely,” The Post and Courier, 5/26/15)

Haley: “‘I hate to see money wasted. We can fix a lot of roads and a lot of bridges.” (Jeremy Borden, “Haley tells lawmakers to spend budget surplus wisely,” The Post and Courier, 5/26/15)

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