QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“Once again it has taken a scandal to force the S.C. Legislature to give the governor’s office a modicum of additional power. Unfortunately, it’s highly unlikely lawmakers will make any further changes this year that would strengthen what arguably is the weakest chief executive in the nation….Unfortunately, the Cabinet still is very much a work in progress. Even the late Gov. Carroll Campbell’s restructuring success two decades ago left most state agencies still under legislative supervision and many of the executive functions under the supervision of the five-member Budget and Control Board – the only one of its kind in the country.” – Post and Courier’s Barbara Williams asks “Why does it take scandal to get reform?”

“The people of South Carolina deserve a response as to how these funds went missing and why it has been 22 months since the Treasurer’s Office was last audited.” – Treasurer candidate Curtis Loftis on the need for an outside audit of the treasurer’s office

FEATURES OF THE WEEK

Barbara Williams: Why does it take scandal to get reform?

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/apr/06/why-does-it-take-scandal-get-reform/

The State advocates for empowering executive branch appointment power…

http://www.thestate.com/2010/04/14/1242606/usc-trustee-battle-illustrates.html

…and Barbara Williams laments legislature’s hold on judicial selection

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/apr/11/sc-high-court-decisionsad-judicial-reform-lesson/

Curtis Loftis says treasurer’s office should be audited…

http://thestatecom.typepad.com/ygatoday/2010/04/loftis-treasurers-office-should-be-audited.html

…as Post and Courier says $120M accounting errors “unacceptable”

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/apr/20/state-of-counting-confusion/

Anti-Reformers in Senate try to kill Rep. Nikki Haley’s roll call voting bill

http://www.carolinapoliticsonline.com/2010/04/18/senate-republicans-trying-to-kill-haley-roll-call-voting-bill/

The Nerve: SC State Pension system among worst funded…

http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-04-23/Report_State_Pension_Plan_Among_Worst-Funded.aspx

… as Post and Courier echoes CG Eckstrom’s warning about state’s unfunded liabilities

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/apr/12/states-of-fiscal-folly/

STATE BUDGET

SC Policy Council Fast Facts: State Budget Still Growing

http://scpolicycouncil.com/research-and-publications-/fact-sheets/899-fact-facts-increased-finesfees-keeping-spending-high

Stimulus funds create budget cliff for state schools, colleges…

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/apr/21/disappearing-bailout-funds-will-leave-big-gaps/ (AP)

…yet government entities continue to throw money at airlines

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/apr/22/airports-chief-trying-hard-to-land-new-carrier/

Sen. Shane Martin says legislature must limit spending

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100414/ARTICLES/100419856/1132/OPINION?Title=SC-lawmakers-must-learn-to-spend-within-their-means

COMMON-SENSE, GOOD GOVERNMENT

Gov. Sanford joins Dr. Russ Sobel in addressing SC’s business climate, cigarette tax hike…

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2010-04-23/sanford-blasts-tax-added-cigarettes?v=1271989177

…as Senator Glenn McConnell does the “Cigarette Tax Two-Step”

http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/04/16/glenn-mcconnells-cigarette-tax-two-step/

The Nerve highlights Converse Chellis spending public funds on TV ads featuring…himself

http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-04-19/Pols_in_Ads_The_People_s_Work_or_Self-Promotion.aspx

Editorials praise ESC reform as positive step forward…

http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/opinion/editorials/article/editorial_employment_commission_overhaul_is_positive_step_forward_for_state/114673/

http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/local/article/editorial_crucial_unemployment_agency_reform_deserves_watchful_eye/114619/

…as governor names retired Brig. Gen. John Finan to head the agency

http://www.thestate.com/2010/04/21/1252985/sanford-names-retired-general.html

Herald-Journal says home sprinkler law ‘ridiculous’

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100414/ARTICLES/4141000/1128/OPINION?Title=Why-mandatory-

http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=86238&catid=2 (TV report)

Senate stalling on tort reform

http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/04/13/sc-senate-stalling-on-tort-reform/

Battle against unfair, unwise retail incentives continues

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/apr/12/sanford-rails-against-retail-incentives/

EDUCATION REFORM

SC schools’ report cards tell sobering story

http://www.thestate.com/2010/04/16/1246141/sc-school-report-cards-ratings.html

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100416/NEWS/304160025/Parents-may-have-trouble-interpreting-new-schools-ratings-out-today

School budget backlash in Aiken County

http://www.voiceforschoolchoice.com/2010/04/23/budget-backlash-in-aiken-county/

OF INTEREST

SC Club for Growth PAC endorses Curtis Loftis for State Treasurer

http://www.curtisloftis.com/clubforgrowth

Tim Scott leads in CD1 fundraising

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/apr/20/rep-tim-scott-pulls-ahead-in-fundraising/

GOP gov hopefuls debate in Spartanburg today

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100423/NEWS/304230019/Republican-gubernatorial-debate-today-kicks-off-busy-political-weekend

Former SC Lawmaker “Won’t Go Home”

http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/04/19/former-sc-lawmaker-wont-go-home/

Former SCGOP Treasurer: Party Wasting Donors’ Money

http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/04/12/former-scgop-treasurer-party-wasting-donors-money/

The State: Senate should abolish campaign black-out period

http://www.thestate.com/2010/04/22/1254405/senate-should-abolish-campaign.html