South Carolina Public Interest Foundation and Edward D. Sloan

Summary

Justice Kittredge dissents, arguing that the South Carolina Department of Transportation has statutory authority to assist local governments with privately owned bridges used by the public and that Sloan lacks both taxpayer and public‑interest standing. He contends the majority’s framing of the issue as spending public funds for a private purpose misstates the statutory scheme and would unduly limit DOT’s safety functions. The dissent also notes that the majority’s standing analysis would grant standing to any citizen alleging governmental impropriety. Justice Pleicones also dissents, maintaining that Sloan lacks standing and that the trial court’s decision should be affirmed.