South Carolina state Rep. Todd Rutherford, the House minority leader, has pre-filed H. 3127 that would allow voters statewide to decide if the ban on casinos should end. Gambling revenue would be used to fund roads, bridges and other infrastructure requirements. Rutherford, a Democrat, said, “We are about the modernization of South Carolina and I have yet to see that from the Republican caucus. We’re not going to fund roads with the same old ideas and same old study committees. We’re trying to come up with new ideas that don’t raise taxes. South Carolina has a hard road ahead of us. We need bigger and better ideas.”
Rutherford’s bill also would remove a provision in current gaming law that prohibits individuals “holding an office of honor, trust or profit” from gambling. Currently public officials can be removed from office if they are convicted of gambling offenses.
Rutherford’s bill faces strong anti-gambling sentiment, particularly in the Myrtle Beach area, where the chamber of commerce, publicly opposed casino gambling. Brad Dean, president and chief executive officer of the Myrtle Beach chamber said, “We do agree that our state currently lacks a workable investment strategy to repair our highways and build Interstate 73, but we also believe the notion of building casinos along the Grand Strand to pay for the state’s infrastructure is misguided. While the bill has been filed, we do not anticipate any real movement on the proposed legislation.”
House majority leader, state Rep. Bruce Bannister said the majority of the legislature oppose casinos. “It is highly unlikely the Republican caucus is going to support gambling to pay for the state’s infrastructure,” he stated.
But Rutherford believes minds can be changed. In order to gain his colleagues’ support, he said, “You sell them on the concept with a detailed bill. If you have casinos on the coast and dedicate them as a funding source on our roads, you have something that goes into fixing a problem.”
Rutherford said the details of funding priorities based on casino revenue would be determined as the bill moved through the legislative process.
