News

Weekly Press Clips – Week of April 5, 2010

4/6/10

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

The ESC debacle clearly revealed the systemic flaws inherent in South Carolina’s legislatively dominated system of governance. And, as usual, it took a train wreck to get the Legislature’s attention. ESC’s example should encourage broader improvements, starting with Senate approval of a Department of Administration bill, already endorsed by the House.” – Charleston Post and Courier praising ESC reform

Sanford was correct to draw our attention to the fact that by accepting the money, we were only kicking the can down the road. A year has passed. We’re halfway back to the can. As soon as this year’s budget is written, we should begin doing whatever we can as a state to prepare, to come to some consensus on what South Carolina government should look like, or that two-year reprieve will have been totally squandered.” – Sun News calling for spending reforms

FEATURES OF THE WEEK

Greenville News, Morning News, Anderson-Independent, P&C praise ESC reform…
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100404/OPINION/304040013/1009/Greenville-News-Editorial-Employment-agency-will-be-fixed
http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/opinion/editorials/article/editorial_unemployment_agency_reform_crucial_but_deserves_a_watchful_eye/114093/

http://www.independentmail.com/news/2010/apr/02/reworking-esc-governor-lawmakers-say-revamped-agen/
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/mar/28/finally-esc-reform/

Sen. Greg Ryberg explains significance of ESC reform
http://www.aikenstandard.com/OpEdColumns/0402-ryberg-column

…as The Herald calls for similar restructuring in other agencies…
http://www.heraldonline.com/2010/04/04/2063446/overhauling-the-esc.html

Innovista approaching “boondoggle” status
http://www.thestate.com/2010/04/04/1228564/innovista-still-short-on-private.html

Sun News on stimulus budgets: “we were only kicking the can down the road”
http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/04/04/1401332/halfway-back-to-the-can.html

EngenuitySC Reaps Public Funds, Shows Little Return
http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-03-31/EngenuitySC_Reaps_Public_Funds_Shows_Little_Return.aspx

STATE BUDGET

Opinion mixed on cigarette tax increase, Gov. Sanford hinting at veto
http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2010/04/05/news/doc4bb953f171bd5268759713.txt
http://www.foxcharlotte.com/news/top-stories/89885307.html

COMMON-SENSE, GOOD GOVERNMENT

Sen. Tom Davis continues push against Sembler
http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/04/03/1194114/next-up-for-sembler-the-environment.html

Tom Young pens op-ed on spending caps, restructuring
http://www.aikenstandard.com/OpEdColumns/0330-young-column

Scoppe, The State, Herald-Journal say judicial selection process needs overhaul
http://www.thestate.com/2010/03/30/1221775/scoppe-judicial-restraint-over.html
http://www.thestate.com/2010/03/31/1223058/end-legislatures-stranglehold.html
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100331/ARTICLES/3311017/1128/OPINION?Title=Selecting-judges

Post and Courier applauds Senate’s spending cap passage
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/apr/01/long-term-state-budget-fix/

Island Packet says ethics process reform should apply to legislators too
http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/04/03/1194110/public-owed-more-open-ethics-inquiry.html

Effort To Ban Taxpayer-Funded Educrat Lobbying Fails
http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/03/22/effort-to-ban-taxpayer-funded-educrat-lobbying-fails/

Clemson condo project subsidized by taxpayers gets attention
http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-04-01/Is_S_C_Poised_to_Enter_New_Incentives_Waters.aspx

Talbert Black: How Individual Legislators Can Make or Break Bills
http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-03-30/How_Individual_Legislators_Can_Make_or_Break_Bills.aspx

How Opposition Fought Subsidies for Sembler
http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-03-23/How_Opposition_Fought_Subsidies_for_Sembler.aspx

Golf Proviso: Lawmakers Mum on Details
http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-03-24/Golf_Proviso_Lawmakers_Mum_on_Details.aspx

Who Voted For The “Big Government Golf” Bill?
http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/03/19/who-voted-for-the-big-government-golf-bill/

EDUCATION REFORM

State Education Board member writes on improving school performance
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100405/OPINION/304050005/1016/Phillip-Bowers-Increase-schools-performance-not-funding

OF INTEREST

Curtis Loftis pledges transparency in Treasurer’s office
http://www.theitem.com/news/article_f30daf0d-bde2-584b-a57c-57a9a2ecf4e7.html

Race for Annette Young’s seat gets into swing
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/mar/31/full-race-for-house-98-seat/

Anne Hutto to be challenged by Republican
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/mar/23/peter-mccoy-challenge-hutto/

Tommy Pope to challenge Herb Kirsh for SC House
http://www.heraldonline.com/2010/03/23/2037158/pope-says-yes-to-a-return-to-politics.html

Tim Scott: Emerging From The Field
http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/03/31/tim-scott-emerging-from-the-field/