Benjamin Stands by Franchise Fee Increase - TheState.com

By ADAM BEAM - abeam@thestate.com

"But his remarks about the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, the entity that oversees the region’s bus system, made no mention of his controversial plan to increase SCE&G’s franchise fee, and Columbia residents’ power bills, by 2 percent in order to give the bus system $3.6 million each year to operate.
City Council has still not approved that plan. But in an interview with The State newspaper after his speech, Benjamin said the votes are still there to pass the increase, something he expects to happen by mid-February.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s non-negotiable,” Benjamin said. “I’m going to listen to what the people have to say (at the public hearing in February), and make sure we take that into account, but we must pass the franchise fee."