QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“You might think that with the state budget bleeding red ink and legislators having to furlough themselves to make ends meet, they would at least consider scaling back this sweetheart pension system, which cost taxpayers $2.5 million last year. To the contrary, the silence has been deafening.” – The State’s Cindi Scoppe, highlighting the SC legislature’s overly generous pension system
“The next time a legislator uses ‘it’s an election year’ as an excuse for not doing heavy lifting during an ‘election year,’ point out that there’s an election every other year in South Carolina, so the politician is saying the General Assembly can’t tackle meaningful legislation half the time.” – Former Rock Hill Herald Editor Terry Plumb calling for better priorities in the legislature
FEATURES OF THE WEEK
Governor’s op-ed highlights the problems with Sembler’s “Okatie Crossing” demands…
…as Lowcountry retailers and economists portend possible reshuffling of jobs
…and Senator Tom Davis says “Sembler Attorneys Tried to Hire Me”
Terry Plumb points out misguided legislative priorities
Scoppe editorializes against legislators’ massive pension perks
Post and Courier advocates for restructuring, Sec. of State becoming appointed position
STATE BUDGET
House passes budget after all night debate…
… with thirty cent cigarette tax hike…
… a loan to attract low cost air carriers…
… and loan to private, Heritage golf tournament
…Post and Courier editorializes against using taxpayer loan to rescue Heritage golf tourney
…while Scoppe challenges legislators to face hard realities
…and DDSN plans to cut services, yet spends millions on property, computer systems
…and The State laments lack of serious restructuring, cost-savings in House budget
COMMON-SENSE, GOOD GOVERNMENT
The State says ESC bills have too much legislative meddling…
…as ESC loans could total $2.5 billion, plan to pay back being discussed
Newspapers editorialize on the importance of transparency
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100314/ARTICLES/3141022/1128/OPINION?Title=It-s-for-all-of-us
http://www.aikenstandard.com/Editorial/0315-editorial2010-03-15T05-00-11
http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2010/03/15/opinion/edit/doc4b9b033fc36ec395671681.txt
House passes bill to end corporate income tax
EDUCATION REFORM
Rep. Nikki Haley successful in pushing amendment to increase school funds going to classrooms
OF INTEREST
Senator Shane Massey ends Congressional bid
Mitt Romney backs Representative Nikki Haley for governor
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/03/romney_wades_in.php
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/16/romney-wades-into-contest-gop-primary-in-south-carolina/?fbid=lVBi9GEaKir
Lt. Governor’s Office Awards No-Bid TV/Film Work…
…while firm with ties to Miles, Bauer closes
McConnell Seeks End Around on Patriots Point