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Senate panel gives favorable report to Thomas L. Rhodes III for DOT commission appointment
Summary
The Senate Transportation Committee gave a favorable report to Gov. appointment Thomas L. Rhodes III for an at-large seat on the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission after a standard confirmation hearing and questions about conflicts of interest and road-funding matters.
The Senate Transportation Committee voted to give a favorable report to Thomas L. Rhodes III, the governor’s nominee for an at-large seat on the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission.
Rhodes appeared before the committee for a standard confirmation hearing. Committee staff summarized his background: Rhodes is a Columbia-based business owner who has served on community boards, chaired the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce board, and holds a BS in management from Clemson University. Rhodes described his interest in serving as public service and emphasized a business-oriented approach to transportation oversight, including modernizing planning tools and stretching transportation dollars.
During questioning, Rhodes said he had no conflicts of interest, that no family business contracts with DOT or receives state funds, and that he would recuse if a conflict arose. He discussed concerns about future revenue as electric vehicles increase, noting an average EV driver pays about $60 per year toward roads compared with about $200 for the average combustion-engine driver, and said the state should study long-term funding mechanisms.
Committee procedure: after questioning and confirmation that Rhodes’s personal financial disclosures were complete, a senator moved and the committee approved a favorable report by voice vote; the chairman announced, “the ayes have it.”
Ending: Rhodes will be sent forward for full Senate consideration; senators praised his background in business and technology and said they expect to weigh questions about revenue and funding mechanisms as vehicle fleets change.
