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QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Over the next 24 months our state government is projected to get a $2.8 billion windfall. That’s roughly half of what our state spends every year. If you got a sudden windfall worth half your yearly paycheck, could you really spend it on things that would produce lasting dividends to your family? Or would some of it be misspent if you had to spend that much money that fast? Wouldn’t prudent families take some of the money to pay down the mortgage and credit cards – or even just set it aside for a rainy day?” – Governor Mark Sanford on his effort to pay down state debts with stimulus dollars

“Transparency is the backbone of sound governance. When tax dollars are spent in full public view — and when decisions that affect you are made in the open — government officials are usually more accountable.  Unfortunately, government operations are frequently conducted out of public view. Too often, people in positions of public trust act as if the “people’s business” is nobody’s business…Spending transparency won’t cure all that ails us, but it will certainly go a long way toward restoring confidence and improving the quality of all levels of government.”  -Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom on the need for transparency in government

FEATURES OF THE WEEK
Gov. Sanford: Too much money can be a bad thing
Rep. Nathan Ballentine: It’s 2 a.m. Do you know where your tax dollars are?
CG Eckstrom pens op-ed on transparency initiatives
The Voice: School Choice could save South Carolina $400 million
FITS: A. Citizen: Replace Leatherman, Cooper

SC NEWS
Graham: Lawmakers may not be able to bypass governors on stimulus money
Budget and Control Board axes $102 million in spending
Gov. Sanford narrows request for stimulus dollars
ESC officials set their own salaries, pay raises
…as Aiken senators continue calls for reform
Efforts to make stimulus spending transparent
SC 22nd in nation for online public records access

COMMON SENSE, GOOD GOVERNMENT
Greenville News editorializes in favor of comprehensive tax reform
Guest op-ed says SPA should adopt market-oriented approach
Greenville News: Citizens deserve easy access to records
Beaufort Gazette praises Comptoroller for stance on transparency
Independent-Mail editorializes on value of transparency
The State suggests other areas for transparency push

EDUCATION REFORM
Clemson professor continues to raise questions over salary raises, conflicts of interest
Sumter charter school pushes ahead

2010 ELECTIONS
Chellis begins re-election campaign with tax dollars
Early poll shows GOP governor’s race tight
Warthen talks to Barrett
Tenenbaum not running for governor