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/