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://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/opinion/editorials/article/editorial_unemployment_agency_reform_crucial_but_deserves_a_watchful_eye/114093/

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.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.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/