COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A panel studying taxes in South Carolina is recommending an increase in the gasoline tax to fund road repairs.
The State newspaper reported the Tax Realignment Commission voted unanimously Thursday to recommend that the state's gas tax be raised a nickel a gallon.
South Carolina's current gasoline tax is 16 cents a gallon and hasn't changed since 1987. Commission member Kenneth Cosgrove says he doesn't anyone would disagree that the state's roads are in pretty bad shape.
The commission will send recommendations to state lawmakers, who return in January. Some lawmakers say they don't expect the General Assembly would approve any tax increases in the current economy.
The panel also is recommending lowering the 6 percent state sales tax to 5 percent, but eliminating the tax exemptions on many industries.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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