QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“Polygraphs, missing millions and an executive director who knew nothing about the agency’s failure to timely pay $20 million in taxes withheld from the jobless are among the things JoAnne Payton remembers most from her short stint as a financial supervisor at the state Employment Security Commission.” – The Greenville News describing “chaos” at the ESC, highlighting the need for serious reforms

“Three analyses signed by South Carolina’s chief economist cast doubt on how much the public would benefit from granting tax incentives to developers of retail projects such as Okatie Crossings, a 280-acre shopping center and luxury outlet mall planned in Beaufort and Jasper counties…The past three statements question whether retail developments created with the help of incentives would generate new sales or merely shift sales from existing competitors.” – BEA analysis questions benefits of the Sembler deal

“The state Legislature needs to follow through with legislation that would allow gubernatorial candidates to select their running mate, just as presidential candidates select their partner on the national ticket…The ultimate winners of these two positions aren’t always from the same party, and sometimes they even work at odds. It can create a messy situation, and this is just one of many ways that the Legislature devalues the Office of Governor and leaves us with a weak chief executive.” – The Greenville News calling for the Governor and Lt. Governor on the same ticket

FEATURES OF THE WEEK

Editorial boards agree: Reform ESC now, put in Governor’s Cabinet
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/feb/14/clean-house-now-at-esc/
http://www.thestate.com/opinion/story/1137901.html
http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2010/02/01/opinion/edit/doc4b6725f3aba80218373315.txt
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100211/OPINION/2110315/1009/Push-ahead-with-ESC-reforms
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100205/ARTICLES/2051001/1128/OPINION?Title=Unreasonable-benefits

…and State Chamber’s Rawl says ESC Commissioners should step down
http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/32904-state-chamber-calls-for-employment-security-commissioners-to-step-down

….while former ESC supervisor describes “chaos” at agency
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100214/NEWS/2140313/Former-ESC-supervisor-describes-chaos-at-jobless-agency

Latest analysis questions benefits of Sembler deal…
http://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/story/1128551.html

…as Post & Courier urges General Assembly to reject it
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/feb/15/retail-incentives-dont-pay/

…and Sen. Tom Davis says retail incentives plan may be unconstitutional
http://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/story/1125041.html

COMMON-SENSE, GOOD GOVERNMENT

Greenville News: Put Gov and Lt. Gov on same ticket
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100201/OPINION/2010341/1009/Put-a-team-at-top-of-ticket

The Herald says Adjutant General should be appointed
http://www.heraldonline.com/opinions/story/1918830.html

The State: SC colleges should centralize governance
http://www.thestate.com/opinion/story/1154500.html

Herald-Journal ridicules tax break provision in property tax reform bill
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100211/ARTICLES/2111006/1128/OPINION?Title=Nearly-criminal

EDUCATION REFORM

Harry Cato pens op-ed supporting school choice
http://www.thesunnews.com/opinion/story/1294744.html

List of SC failing schools released
http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/02/03/list-of-sc-failing-schools-released/

Legislature might scrap EOC
http://www.voiceforschoolchoice.com/2010/02/09/lawmakers-move-to-cut-eoc-from-state-budget/

OF INTEREST

Time Magazine profiles Mick Mulvaney as one of “10 More Scott Browns”
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1958119_1958112_1958124,00.html

Reform-minded Curtis Loftis to likely challenge Chellis
http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/02/02/loftis-likely-to-challenge-chellis/

Tim Scott running for Congress
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/32678.html