SC senator proposes plan to tax gas to help pay for state's beaches

South Carolina residents could be paying more at the gas pump to help pay for the state's beaches.

A state senator filed a plan that would allow counties to charge a tax of 1 cent per gallon on gas.

The revenue would fund beach improvements and renourishment projects.

Funding for those projects typically comes from the federal government.

Sen. Greg Hembree said there’s a pressing need for beach upgrades.

“Our economy is based on that beach, and if we don’t take care of it, then there are going to be some real serious consequences,” Hembree said.

If the plan passes, counties would have to let voters decide if the tax would be levied.

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