South Carolina lawmakers may give $96 million back to taxpayers

ROCK HILL, S.C. — If you live in South Carolina, you could be getting a little gift from the state.

It could be enough cash for a date night or to fill up your tank at the gas station.

State lawmakers said the state has collected $96 million more than was budgeted.  Some lawmakers want to give the surplus back to the people in the form of a $50 check for each taxpayer.

[South Carolina residents can get fuel tax credit in 2019]

York County Republican state Rep. Bruce Bryant said it's a good idea.

"We have to keep in mind this is taxpayer money. Fifty dollars, for a lot of people, is a lot of money, so I could support that," Bryant said.

He also said, however, that the state has many needs and big-ticket items that could also use the surplus.

"I'd like to do more for teachers and more raises for state employees," Bryant said.

Some Democrats said the money should go to repair school buildings or to fund other long-overdue capital projects. Lancaster Democratic state Rep. Mandy Powers Norrell called the idea of a $50 check for everyone "pandering."

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"We could affect South Carolinians' lives a whole lot more by addressing some of the deferred maintenance or capital needs that we have," she said.

The state could also replace hundreds of aging school buses or give some high-cost road projects a boost even though the new gas tax is earmarked for road and bridge repair.

Some voters told Channel 9 that a $50 refund would be better saved for leaner times.

"I don't think it's a good idea. They ought to keep it because they're going to need it in the future, and I don't need that 50 bucks," Allan Koeppel said.

Rhonda Crist said she wouldn't mind the $50 in her pocket because that's a full tank of gas but believes the money would be better spent for other things.

"If I thought that money would go to feed a child rather than put gas in my tank when I can afford that gas, I'd rather do it that way," Crist said.

Powers Norrell also raised the issue of the new voting machines South Carolina plans to buy before the 2020 election. They could cost up to $60 million. Supporters of the refund, however, said lawmakers are making good on a promise to keep taxes low and return what they don't spend.

Cox Media Group