The General Assembly's top money man has done an admirable job of showing South Carolinians how enough money might be scraped together to repair the roads they drive most. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, this week proposed that about $90 million per year be diverted from other public purposes and put into maintenance and improvement of state-owned secondary roads.

Its enactment into law would create a $90 million hole in the state's general fund budget. Secondary-road improvements, in other words, would come at the expense of other state agencies and programs.

We understand, even appreciate, the Republican mind-set against raising taxes and fees for any reason. But what would be wrong with asking highway users to cover more of the direct costs that their vehicles exert upon S.C. roads and the S.C. environment, via a local-option gasoline tax or higher vehicle-registration fees? Especially considering that Harrell and other Republican leaders are considering giving away more of the state's tax base via Gov. Mark Sanford's proposed income-tax cut, it seems nonsensical to reduce the general fund even more to take care of secondary roads.

If this is the best the General Assembly can do, the Harrell measure is worthy of passage, in a nose-holding sort of way. But if his proposal becomes law, no one should pretend that it's the result of visionary lawmaking.