Senators likely to debate roads bill in 2 weeks

State senators on the Finance Committee plan to vote on a road-repair plan next week, setting up a debate on the Senate floor.

That debate could begin Feb. 16 at the earliest, said state Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland.

Lourie is one of two senators who will sponsor an amendment that emerges from the finance panel, including changes to the structure of the state Transportation Department, increasing the gas tax and other driving fees, and reducing income and business taxes. Plans call for that amendment to be added to a House-passed road-repair bill now sitting in a priority spot on the Senate calendar.

Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, said he plans for the Finance Committee to hear from the state Transportation Department and the controversial S.C. Infrastructure Bank next week, before voting on Lourie’s amendment.

This story was originally published February 2, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Senators likely to debate roads bill in 2 weeks."