SC Club for Growth PAC today announced its “Anti Reform Annette” education effort, intended to highlight the legislative record of Summerville’s Annette Young. Representative Young recently earned an “F” grade on SC Club for Growth’s “2009 Legislative Scorecard” (view scorecards) as a result of her voting record in the South Carolina House. Today’s campaign is the first in a series against low-scoring, status quo legislators.

Sponsored by SC Club for Growth PAC,  the currently Internet-only ad (view ad) highlights Annette Young’s successful effort in 2009 to defeat much-needed reforms at South Carolina’s Employment Security Commission (ESC).

On April 29, 2009, SC House members had a chance to pass important reforms to the ESC. Instead, Annette Young led a group of supposed Republicans and liberal Democrats to send H. 3442 back to committee, effectively killing the bill. The final vote was 56 to 54.

Why does it matter that Annette Young led the effort and cast the deciding vote against reform at an agency the Post and Courier later called a “train wreck” and a “debacle” for its “staggering incompetence”? Learn more by watching the video to at http://www.AntiReformAnnette.com

SC Club for Growth PAC is also seeking contributions to broadcast a version of the ad on Summerville television stations.  Individuals may contribute to the effort at http://www.AntiReformAnnette.com/contribute/

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Full text of the Internet ad:

“Bailouts, boondoggles and bad decisions…government continues to fail us in Washington and in Columbia.

Yet out of touch politicians like Summerville’s Annette Young just don’t get it.

Some lawmakers recently tried to reform the state’s Employment Security Commission – an agency the media has called a “train wreck” and a “debacle” for its “staggering incompetence.”

But Annette Young led a group of liberal Democrats to protect the status-quo and she even cast the deciding vote against reform.

Cronyism? Corruption? Or just incompetence? Whatever it is, Anti-Reform Annette should feel less secure about her OWN job in Columbia.”

Sources:

(1) SC Club for Growth 2009 Legislative Scorecards – http://www.scclubforgrowth.org/legislative/scorecards

(2) H. 3442 – http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/hj09/20090429.htm

(3) Charleston Post and Courier – http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/dec/01/more-egg-on-escs-face/

Legislators’ ratings (view scorecards here) were based on critical economic and good government votes in the South Carolina House and Senate. The scorecards are publicized to the media, SC Club for Growth members, and South Carolina voters. Additionally, the scorecards serve as the basis for SC Club for Growth PAC endorsements. In the past two election cycles, SC Club for Growth PAC has a 70% win record and its members have contributed over $750,000 to reform-minded candidates.

Critical 2009 votes include:

- Ending taxpayer-funded lobbyists at state agencies. (House)

- Barring the use of tax dollars on TV ads featuring South Carolina’s nine constitutional officers. (House)

- Reforming the state’s Employment Security Commission, an agency newspapers have called a “train wreck” for its “staggering incompetence.” (House)

- Requiring a 24-hour review of the state budget before voting. (House)

- Decreasing executive branch accountability and input at the SC Ports Authority. (House and Senate)

- Supporting an unsustainable state budget bolstered by “stimulus” funds. (House and Senate)

- Supporting unsustainable levels of government spending using one-time funds. (House and Senate)

- Voting against cost-saving budget vetoes that would have lessened the need for spending cuts to core government services. (House and Senate)

The 2009 scorecard also includes a House vote to finally end the Competitive Grants program, a program editorial writers have frequently referred to as a “legislative slush fund.” The program spent tens of millions in recent years on a variety of festivals, parades and other wasteful pork projects.  Lowlights of competitive grants spending include wasting taxpayer dollars on an “Elvis impersonator,” a hot-air balloon festival, and a beach vacation for 100 German tourists.

SC Club for Growth Executive Director Matt Moore, commenting on the 2009 scorecards, said, “SC Club for Growth has again created an incredible guide for taxpayers. It’s too easy for legislators to say they are a fiscal conservative during election years and then act completely different once in Columbia – that’s why we diligently track how legislators are really voting. South Carolina taxpayers continue to watch their wallets and deserve to know who is really fighting for them. We are happy to help.”

Legislators earning the SC Club for Growth Taxpayer Champion award deserve considerable praise for their efforts to protect taxpayers. Their “A” or “B” grades over the past two years (one year for freshmen) place them in the very top percent of South Carolina legislators:

Senator Lee Bright (R-Spartanburg County)
Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson County)
Senator Chip Campsen (R-Charleston County)
Senator Tom Davis (R-Beaufort County)
Senator Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley County)
Senator Shane Massey (R-Edgefield County)
Senator Mick Mulvaney (R-Lancaster County)
Senator Mike Rose (R-Dorchester County)
Senator Greg Ryberg (R-Aiken County)
Senator Phil Shoopman (R-Greenville County)
Senator Danny Verdin (R-Laurens County)

Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington County)
Rep. Eric Bedingfield (R-Greenville County)
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-Laurens County)
Rep. Nikki Haley (R-Lexington County)
Rep. Dan Hamilton (R-Greenville County)
Rep. Joey Millwood (R-Spartanburg County)
Rep. Wendy Nanney (R-Greenville County)
Rep. Ted Pitts (R-Lexington County)
Rep. Tim Scott (R-Berkeley County)
Rep. Tommy Stringer (R-Greenville County)
Rep. Thad Viers (R-Horry County)

Over half of legislators earned a grade of “F” or “F-.” Moore continued, “Many legislators continue to protect the status quo and work against common-sense reforms in Columbia. As we saw in the 2008 election cycle, where nearly a dozen incumbent legislators were defeated, South Carolinians have no patience for poor performance. It goes without saying that those earning ‘F’ grades should be mindful of an electorate fed up with wasteful spending, no accountability, and out of control government.”

Other Interesting Facts:

- About 24% of senators earned a grade of “A” or “B,” while just 11% of representatives earned an “A” or “B.”

- In the Senate, the average Republican scored a 46 out of 100 (grade C-) while the average Democrat scored a 4 (grade F-).

- Scores were slightly lower in the House, where the average Republican scored a 41 (grade D) and the average Democrat scored a 10 (grade F).

- For the first time, SC Club for Growth’s Legislative Scorecard incurred a penalty to any legislator who sustained a veto and then quickly voted to support, or was absent from, motions to reconsider or vote to override. Of special note is Representative George Hearn, who earned the 2009 “Flip Flopper” Award for being penalized the maximum for 14 points for his effort (or lack thereof).

SC Club for Growth’s annual scorecards are made possible through the generosity of hundreds of South Carolina taxpayers who are concerned with the direction of our state.

Visit SC Club for Growth online at http://www.SCClubforGrowth.com.

South Carolina’s neighboring states have recognized that putting accountable cabinet members (appointed by the executive branch) in charge of day-to-day policy, administrative, and management decisions leads to success.  Likewise, despite recent battles between South Carolina’s current executive and legislative branches, future South Carolina governors deserve an opportunity to make their imprint on state government.

Taxpayers across South Carolina want accountable and efficient government through a true executive branch they can hold accountable for results – instead of an executive branch hamstrung by bureaucracy and competing political agendas.

“Families are settling for smaller homes, individuals are opting for safer careers, businesses are slashing payrolls and benefits, lopping off tangential operations and even realigning their core missions…Everywhere, that is, except in government. In government, especially South Carolina’s state government, we’re still nibbling around the edges. Still making incremental cuts as revenue streams dry up. Still trying to do everything and be everything we’ve always done and been. Still acting as if this is a temporary blip, and any day now, tax revenues will start gushing back in, and all those agencies and programs that have been running on fumes will find themselves awash in money.” - The State calling on legislators to reform state government

“…the legislative year should not end without the ESC undergoing substantive reform aimed at removing political patronage in this state agency and making it accountable for helping unemployed workers find appropriate work…Running the agency with a three-person commission of ex-legislators who lack discernible qualifications just won’t cut it.” - The Greenville News on the need for ESC reform

“S.C. Club for Growth has become a financial force to be reckoned with in Republican primary elections, steering big bucks to fiscally conservative candidates and offering a coveted “Good Housekeeping” seal to their campaigns…a major player in the battle for the heart and soul of the GOP … or whatever party emerges from the taxpayer revolution that’s currently sweeping across our state and nation.” - From the FITSNews.com Power 100

FEATURES OF THE WEEK

The State: Legislature Can Fix Things

http://www.thestate.com/opinion/story/1102449.html

…calls on legislators to reform tax and budget systems, restructure government
http://www.thestate.com/opinion/story/1102560.html

Greenville News says meaningful reform a must at ESC

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100111/OPINION/1110304/1009/Focus-on-improving-state-s-workforce

Post and Courier advocates gov’t streamlining using Governor’s Executive Budgets, GEAR Report

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/03/start-streamlining-now/

Post and Courier columnist tells legislators to not grandstand this year

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/13/no-time-for-grandstanding/

Upstate legislators say censure quickly, or not at all…

http://www.upstatetoday.com/news/2010/jan/12/upstate-lawmakers-want-vote-censure/

Post & Courier report: ‘Triumvirate of legislators’ runs South Carolina
(Part 1) http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/11/whos-in-charge/
(Part 2) http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/12/trio-of-lawmakers-slowly-built-clout/

COMMON-SENSE, GOOD GOVERNMENT

State revenue continues to fall…

http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/01/09/sc-revenue-going-down-down-down/

…as SC agencies pass $1 billion in stimulus funds received…

http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/01/06/sc-stimulus-spending-tops-1-billion/

…and AP analysis says unemployment unaffected by stimulus

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/12/jobless-rate-unaffected-by-projects/

Lawmakers say state spending must be capped…

http://www.heraldonline.com/109/story/1852636.html

…while Texas governor calls for “population plus inflation” cap

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/6802019.html

Post & Courier makes the case for single-ticket Governor/Lt. Gov. race

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/11/give-governor-loyal-lieutenant/

EDUCATION REFORM

Legislation would reform charter school laws

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/11/changes-for-state-charter-schools/

Bailey: Move Superintendent to Cabinet

http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/1242001.html

Teachers remain unimpressed with PASS

http://www.voiceforschoolchoice.com/2010/01/05/teachers-remain-unimpressed-with-pass/

Rep. Boyd Brown rebukes local school board

http://www.voiceforschoolchoice.com/2009/12/10/fairfield-representative-rebukes-local-school-board/

Link to Heritage.org

The Club’s 2009 (and prior) scorecards will undoubtedly influence SC Club for Growth PAC’s activities in the 2010 election cycle.

SC Club for Growth PAC played a significant role in helping reform-minded challengers defeat status-quo opponents in 2008.  The Club PAC again needs your contributions to fund research and support candidates with TV ads, radio spots, and mail pieces in the key 2010 races for Governor, Treasurer, Comptroller General, and State House.

The Club PAC has NOT yet endorsed candidates in any of those races.  However, please consider contributing to our PAC as we prepare for 2010.

Sincerely,
Matt Moore
Executive Director, SC Club for Growth

Even as the drama of the stimulus/bailout fight in South Carolina fades from newspaper and blog headlines, public education officials continue to insist their budgets are dangerously tight and student instruction is suffering.

On Tuesday, Lexington-Richland District 5 reported that despite an infusion of $4.5 million in stimulus dollars, it would need to fire 14 staffers and 62 teachers (The State 6/23). Last Thursday, Lexington District 2 announced similar layoffs for eight teachers and five staffers (The State 6/18). Other districts, such as Dorchester 2 and Charleston, are thinning their ranks through the process of attrition without replacement (Post and Courier 6/22).

Taxpayers might expect school officials to demonstrate fiscal leadership by keeping administrative and non-instructional spending down to a bare minimum. This would ensure the greatest sum of public money actually reaches teachers and students in the classroom.

Those taxpayers would be very disappointed.

This week the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) is putting on a massive, weeklong conference and meeting at the luxurious Kingston Plantation resort complex in Myrtle Beach. According to SCASA, rooms for the conference range from $134 to $369 per night. There are also conference registration fees for the “Leadership Institute,” the “Palmetto Priority Schools Conference” and other events throughout the week. There will be travel expenses for transportation to and from the conferences, per-diem, and extra perks like catered meals – all at taxpayer expense.

As a self-described “professional organization,” SCASA is funded through membership dues.  In the case of public school district superintendents and other high level administrators, these dues are funded directly by the district as a stipulation of the officials’ contracts.  Any expenses for the conference not included in these dues are, usually as a matter of course, reimbursed by the school districts.  SCASA as enjoys taxpayer subsidized health and dental benefits for its full time staff members. The organization similarly uses public funds to pay the salary of a full time lobbyist in Columbia.

“If public schools are cutting jobs and forcing teachers into unpaid furloughs, parents and taxpayers needs to know that superintendents and other administrators are leading by example and pinching pennies too,” explained Matt Moore, Executive Director of South Carolina Club for Growth, a taxpayer watchdog group. “This is yet another frustrating example of how many politicians and bureaucrats calling for higher taxes remain personally and professionally insulated from the painful economic pressures that teachers, parents, and businesses across the Palmetto State are now enduring.”

Click here to FIND your Senator
Click here to CONTACT your Senator

South Carolina Club for Growth strongly urges all members of the SC Senate to sustain S. 351, R. 64, which makes detrimental changes to the State Ports Authority. S. 351, R. 64 will be the final scored vote before the Club releases its 2009-2010 Interim Legislative Scorecard.

In summary, the bill is essentially “restructuring in reverse” through increased bureaucracy and the potential for undue political influence. South Carolina needs an effective and well-managed ports system to remain competitive in the 21st century. However, S. 351, R. 64 will make much-need reforms very difficult by effectively eliminating the governor’s ability to remove board members.

South Carolina’s neighbors, including Georgia, have recognized that putting accountable board members (appointed by the executive branch) in charge of day-to-day policy, administrative, and management decisions leads to success.  Likewise, despite recent battles between South Carolina’s current executive and legislative branches, future South Carolina governors deserve an opportunity to make their imprint on our state government.

Taxpayers across South Carolina want accountable and efficient government through a true executive branch they can hold accountable for results – instead of an executive branch hamstrung with even more unaccountable bureaucracy.

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The South Carolina Club for Growth is a network of thousands of South Carolinians, from all walks of life, who believe that prosperity and opportunity come through economic freedom. We work to promote public policies that promote economic growth primarily through legislative involvement, issue advocacy, research, training, and educational activity.

SC Club for Growth
PO Box 11909
Columbia, SC 29211
twitter: SCClub4Growth
phone: 803.454.1134

As we said in our Key Vote Alert yesterday:

“the amendments to the budget forcing the acceptance of $700 million in stimulus funds are in violation of our state’s constitution.  This is backed up by public opinions from South Carolina’s Attorney General, the Congressional Research Service, and the federal Director of the Office of Management and Budget, who have all argued that only the governor can apply for and accept these stimulus funds. SC Club for Growth firmly believes the legislature’s efforts clearly violate federal law and will score any associated veto overrides.”

SC Club for Growth encourages you to contact your legislator to either ask them “Why did you support violating the state’s constitution?” or to say “Thank you for defending responsible government.”

Click here to find your legislator
Click here to find your Representative’s contact information
Click here to find your Senator’s contact information

Here are those who went AGAINST good government and supported spending (by usurping the executive branch) $348 million in non-recurring federal stimulus funds for recurring state government spending.

House of Representatives

Those voting to override the Governor:

Agnew                  Alexander              Allen
Anderson               Bales                  Bannister
Barfield               Battle                 Bingham
Bowen                  Bowers                 Brady
Branham                Brantley               Grady Brown
Boyd Brown             Robert Brown           Cato
Chalk                  Clemmons               Cobb-Hunter
Cole                   Cooper                 Daning
Delleney               Dillard                Edge
Erickson               Forrester              Funderburk
Gambrell               Gilliard               Govan
Gullick                Gunn                   Hardwick
Harrell                Harrison               Hart
Harvin                 Hayes                  Hearn
Herbkersman            Hiott                  Hodges
Horne                  Hosey                  Howard
Hutto                  Jefferson              Jennings
Kelly                  Kennedy                King
Kirsh                  Knight                 Limehouse
Littlejohn             Long                   Lucas
Mack                   McEachern              McLeod
Miller                 Mitchell               Dennis Moss
Steve Moss             Joe Neal               Jimmy Neal
Neilson                Ott                    Owens
Parks                  Pinson                 Sellers
Simrill                Skelton                Donald Smith
James E. Smith         Roland Smith           Sottile
Spires                 Stavrinakis            Toole
Umphlett               Vick                   Weeks
Whipper                White                  Whitmire
Williams               Willis                 Annette Young

Senate

Those voting to override the Governor:

Alexander                 Anderson                  Campbell
Cleary                    Coleman                   Courson
Cromer                    Elliott                   Fair
Ford                      Hayes                     Hutto
Jackson                   Knotts                    Land
Leatherman                Leventis                  Lourie
Martin, Larry             Martin, Shane             Matthews
McConnell                 McGill                    Nicholson
O'Dell                    Peeler                    Pinckney
Rankin                    Reese                     Scott
Setzler                   Sheheen                   Thomas
Williams

Here are those who made the RESPONSIBLE (and legal) choice to NOT spend (by usurping the executive branch) $348 million in non-recurring federal stimulus funds for recurring state government spending.

House

Those supporting separation of powers:

Ballentine             Bedingfield            Crawford
Duncan                 Frye                   Haley
Hamilton               Huggins                Lowe
Merrill                Millwood               Nanney
Ted Pitts              Mike Pitts             Rice
Scott                  Murrell Smith          Garry Smith
Stewart                Stringer               Thompson
Viers                  Tom Young

Senate

Those supporting separation of powers:

Bright                    Bryant                    Campsen
Davis                     Grooms                    Massey
Mulvaney                  Rose                      Ryberg
Shoopman                  Verdin

Sources:
House Journal – May 20, 2009
Senate Journal – May 20, 2009

The South Carolina Club for Growth urges all Representatives and Senators to vote “NO” on overriding Governor Mark Sanford’s budget vetoes.  We will be scoring every budget veto vote as part of our 2009 Legislative Scorecard.

Unlike the alternative budgets presented in the House and Senate, we believe this year’s budget inadequately funds the core functions of government.  Much of this budget was crafted by staff members along with the finance committee chairmen and passed the House in a mere two hours – with not even the minimal 24 hours of review for legislators and the public.  South Carolinians deserve open and accountable government, instead of one that is crafted behind closed doors.

Without modifications, this budget sets up our state up for serious more budget problems in a mere 24 months when the federal stimulus dollars run dry.  We also agree that the amendments to the budget forcing the acceptance of $700 million in stimulus funds are in violation of our state’s constitution.  This is backed up by public opinions from South Carolina’s Attorney General, the Congressional Research Service, and the federal Director of the Office of Management and Budget, who have all argued that only the governor can apply for and accept these stimulus funds.

SC Club for Growth firmly believes the legislature’s efforts clearly violate federal law and will score any associated veto overrides.  In spite of false information to the contrary, sustaining these vetoes will not make the funds available for other states as the funds can still be drawn down by the governor through 2010.

Even legislators who aren’t willing to sustain the vetoes of the Part 1 and Part 3 spending have plenty of opportunities to vote as fiscal conservatives by sustaining the vetoed provisos.  Given SC Club for Growth’s role as South Carolina’s largest taxpayer watchdog group, we will be scoring all of the vetoed provisos but giving additional weight to some of the most egregious ones.    These include the following:

Vetoes 9- 12   An attempt to move the state Aeronautics Commission to the Budget and Control Board rather than allow savings of up to $350,000 (state government flies away with more tax dollars)
Veto 14   Special Events Traffic Control (potential savings: nearly $1 million)
Veto 15   Hunley Security (protecting pet projects should be privately funded)
Vetoes 16 -24   Capitol Police Force (a politically motivated waste of tax dollars)
Veto 25   Lt. Governor Security Detail (no need for the state’s part-time constitutional officer to receive security)
Veto 29   Requiring executive branch/cabinet officials to report to the legislature (violates separation of powers)
Veto 30   Eliminate B&CB oversight of agency heads and higher-ed presidents (removing Executive Branch oversight will lead to more overpaid bureaucrats)
Vetoes 32 – 35   Allows agencies to transfer Competitive Grant funds (sustaining these vetoes will finally end the Competitive Grants program)
Veto 40   Inexplicably prohibits a reform-minded appointee from serving as chair of the SC Research Authority board (what’s there to hide at SCRA?)
Veto 43   Raids the Insurance Trust Fund to fill recurring budget shortfalls with one-time funds

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The South Carolina Club for Growth is a network of thousands of South Carolinians, from all walks of life, who believe that prosperity and opportunity come through economic freedom. We work to promote public policies that promote economic growth primarily through legislative involvement, issue advocacy, research, training and educational activity.  The independent SC Club for Growth PAC and its members are fresh off two very successful election cycles where 38 of 54 endorsed candidates won their primary and general election races.  SC Club for Growth PAC members frequently use the Club’s legislative scorecards as part of their due diligence in deciding who to support in elections.