Post #13: Betting on South Carolina

“Some men see things as they are and ask, ‘Why?’ I dream of things that have never been and ask, ‘Why not?’”

Often attributed to Robert Kennedy, it was another famous Irishman, George Bernard Shaw, who spoke those words. Hardly a day goes by that I am not reminded of this quote in some fashion, and during my time in the State House I reminded myself of this question in the form of a plaque on my desk. Read it again, and then think of South Carolina.

In my farewell address to the legislature, I remarked that South Carolina has all of the tools needed to be successful but we only lack two things: leadership and vision. I can join the chorus and complain about the leadership aspect of that, or I can build upon the vision aspect in this op-ed and offer a solution; I choose to do the latter.

As someone who served with the decision-makers in Columbia, I will be the first to admit that a tax is not going to be raised in South Carolina—nor should one be raised. As South Carolinians, we continue to hear about the horrible conditions of our roads and bridges—conditions that will cost an estimated $28 Billion to fix. That money is not going to raise itself, and it seems we only have two options: raising taxes to pay for it, or allowing senators with minds from the past to borrow it from future generations like mine.

But there is one alternative, and it ties back into the quote I began this opinion piece with—the idea of asking why not?

As I mentioned, South Carolina has all of the tools to be successful. One of those tools is our tourism hotspot, Myrtle Beach. Think about it, and then tell me what location is better suited in the southeastern United States for casino gaming.

I have seen numbers that show where highly-taxed and regulated gaming in South Carolina would generate $2.5 Billion per year in state revenue, a number that could, if I had my way, be put to fixing our roads and eliminating the vehicle property tax.

But surely the Legislature and Governor are already working on fixing roads, right? If putting a borrowed $600 Million in one-time money is fixing our $28 Billion problem, then yes, they’re working on it—but do not think they are going to lower your vehicle property tax for a second. They’re simply robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The monies generated from this proposal would be staggering, and would forever change South Carolina for the better. Casinos would create thousands of jobs in the deprived “Corridor of Shame” area of our state, and would help boost businesses across the Palmetto State: road contractors, food/beverage industry, general contractors, homebuilders, retail merchants, building suppliers, etc., all benefiting our state’s economy. What other idea takes thousands off of the unemployment rolls by giving them jobs that pay higher than the state average?

The reduction or elimination of the vehicle property tax would put hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars back in the pockets of working South Carolinians, money that could be spent on groceries and household goods, among other things.

We oftentimes hear that there is no silver bullet answer to fixing our problems, and oftentimes that is a true assessment. But I also believe in the idea that you miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.

So I’ll paraphrase Mr. Shaw in closing: “Some men see South Carolina’s problems and do nothing, I see South Carolina’s problems and offer a solution to do something about them.” Let’s take a gamble, and let’s bet on South Carolina’s future.