Editorials from across South Carolina: early primaries, Hugh Leatherman, gas tax

Early primaries were good for S.C.

The media attention is a nice benefit. Who doesn’t like hearing our state’s name, in a generally positive light, peppering the national news?

But the chief benefit of our being the national political epicenter for the month of February is that this state’s residents get an extended chance to thoroughly vet the candidates. That is ever more important given that South Carolina, a Republican stronghold in the general election, may well not see another candidate before November. …

As ugly as the politicking was at times, though, we should be thankful as a state for the opportunity we had over the first two months of the year. Candidates crisscrossed our state, residents had opportunities to shake hands with the individual who will be the next president of the United States, and all of us had a chance to form opinions about the field. Many states our size do not get such an extended chance as we had to meet and vet political candidates and see the often messy political process up close.

There also were significant economic benefits of candidates and surrogates spending extended time here along with the media entourage that follows them. These all are good things for South Carolina, though no doubt many of us now are breathing a long sigh of relief and saying something like, I’m glad that’s over.

Leatherman is good for Florence

Thumbs down to the notion of ousting Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. from the South Carolina Senate. We can understand why people in other parts of the state would want to topple the man who arguably is the most powerful person in the state. Leatherman is serving his second year as the president pro tempore of the Senate. He has served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee since 2001. He has served in the Senate since 1981.

It takes time to climb to the top, and now that he is there, Florence and the Pee Dee have benefited immensely. Can’t we enjoy the spoils for as long as possible? Well … two Florence Republicans don’t want to. Leatherman will have at least two challengers in the June primary: Florence County Republican Party Chairman Richard Skipper and Florence County Treasurer Dean Fowler.

Under ordinary circumstances, we would praise these men for wanting to serve the public, and we would wish them well. But these aren’t ordinary circumstances. A freshman senator won’t be able to do a fraction of the good that Leatherman has been doing to his constituents. The time will come when the 84-year-old senator will be gone, but why try to push him out at his peak? Why not wait until the time is right? Is this merely a move to jockey for position when the seat comes open?

We hear money from other parts of the state will be backing one of Leatherman’s opponents. That just stinks.

Gas tax would be good for S.C.

The state’s gas tax hasn’t been increased since 1987, despite the demonstrable need for road and bridge work. But a proposed hike was scuttled to avoid a continuing filibuster by senators generally opposed to new taxes.

Never mind that the gas tax operates as a user fee, by which those who drive on the highways pay for their construction and maintenance.

Further, out-of-state motorists who use the roads pay their fair share. Currently, that is estimated at a hefty 30 percent of the total gas tax revenue.

Instead, the Senate would provide $400 million in new general fund revenue to the DOT, presumably on a recurring basis. …

Still, the Senate action was an important advance for safer roads and bridges. And it finally clears the way for the chamber to begin making headway on other legislative business, such as ethics reform.

This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 1:39 PM.