S.C. Drivers Could See Some Relief At The Pump Wednesday May 10, 2006 11:14pm   Reporter: Courtney Ward   Posted By: Courtney Ward Which football team will have a better record in 2006?  USC  Clemson  Citadel  Charleston Southern  SC State ___  ABC News 4 Interact  ___    • Signup for eNews Alerts    • ABC News 4 Pulse Poll    • Whats Your Opinion?    • Printable Version    • E-Mail This Story Columbia, SC - Motorists in South Carolina may soon see temporary relief from high gas prices.  Today Governor Mark Sanford (website - news) , along with about 30 state house members, announced a plan to temporarily suspend the state's 16.75 cents a gallon sales tax.    Today by a vote of 67-29 the state’s House of Representatives voted to amend the budget to include a gas tax reform of $134 million. Under Sanford's plan, the Palmetto state's gas tax would be suspended from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Some local drivers we talked with, like Sara Williamson, say the relief is certainly needed. “I think that's wonderful. I think any lower the gas the better.” But while Sanford's plan is music to many motorists' ears, Bob Harrell, South Carolina’s Highway Commissioner, says the state's Department of Transportation is a little more cautious - because the gas tax is its only source of state funding. “I support the governor's proposal only if the funding is replaced for the D.O.T.  The D.O.T. has already been cut $100 million by the federal government this year.” House Speaker, Bobby Harrell, says although the House has done its part, the process is far from over. “The issue is our ability to get it on through the Senate and I simply don't know if we're going to be able to force that issue or not.” If the plan does come to terms, Sanford says the cut would equal a savings of about $63 per family during that 3-month suspension. » Find More Articles Related To This One Copyright 2006 WCIV, LLC.

HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS STORY? TELL US ABOUT IT BELOW! Opinions and Feedback You need to be a registered member of ABC News 4 to leave comments on news stories. Not A Member Yet? Click Here To Signup...Takes Just Two Minutes Lost Your Password? Click Here ABC News 4 Member Name or Email:   Password:    Your Feedback/Opinion: Messages that harass, abuse or threaten other members; have obscene or otherwise objectionable content; have spam, commercial or advertising content or inappropriate links may be removed and may result in the loss of your posting privledges. Please do not post any private information unless you want it to be available publicly. Never assume that you are completely anonymous and cannot be identified by your posts.