QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“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/