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Columbia 
Tue Mar 09, 2010 at 22:58:52 PM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
 Yesterday the Vic Rawl for US Senate Campaign began its “uphill” kickoff tour from the coast to the mountains. We crossed a state struggling and waiting for a new US senator.Image, Right, Rawl addresses Spartanburg Democratic Convention. The tour was uphill because it ran from South Carolina’s coast, where the historic gardens of Charleston are greening towards an explosion of Azaelias, over the sand hills and through the State Capital to the manufacturing cities of the Piedmont. We gained over a thousand feet in elevation in the course of the day.
It’s also uphill because Vic’s opponent, Jim “Waterloo” Demint is constantly reported to have a campaign fund of over three million dollars. Our fund, which has doubled in the last 24 hours, is a few million less. Some people conclude the incumbent’s lead in special interest cash exempts DeMint from having to run a real campaign. The day began with the campaign website went online with flikr, twitter and youtube feeds. You can view it's evolving content at www.vicrawl.com. READ THE EXTENDED TEXT TO FIND OUT HOW THE TRIP WENT
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Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 07:57:41 AM EDT
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A final word (maybe) from The State's Warren Bolton on the payday lending debate before it is settled (possibly) at the state house... WITH THE S.C. House having capitulated and passed a bill feigning to regulate payday lending, and many in the Senate eager to do the same, possibly even this week, some lawmakers who want strict rules might be willing to allow the legalized loan sharks to continue their predatory ways. After all, it’s not that they haven’t tried. They’ve just been outgunned. The payday lenders, having unloaded hundreds of thousands of dollars last year in the form of contributions to legislators and statewide officers and payments to lobbyists, came into this legislative session loaded for bear. They’ve mounted a relentless effort; to top it off, they brought back the-man-who-would-be-governor-turned-payday-lender-defender Tommy Moore to glad-hand former colleagues into embracing an industry-friendly bill. But hold on. This fight isn’t over. There are Good Samaritans in the Senate who don’t intend to let these legalized loan sharks continue bleeding millions from consumers without a fight. While some who’ve fought for consumers in the past now support minimal regulation, there are those who don’t intend to pass by on the other side of the street while borrowers are being robbed of hard-earned cash via triple-digit, short-term loans that lead to long-term debt. At least one senator has come to the same conclusion I’ve reached: It’s better to do nothing than to pass flimsy legislation that won’t break the cycle of debt but that will be on the books for years before it’s corrected, if ever. “They’re not going to pass a weak bill here,” said Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington. He and a handful of other senators, including Wes Hayes, Joel Lourie and Robert Ford, have fought for tougher regulations. [...] “The industry ain’t that significant for us,” Mr. Malloy said. “It’s the people that are important to us.” We could learn this week if the rest of the Senate feels that way.
Bolton: Will senators favor payday lenders or the people?
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Tue Apr 21, 2009 at 08:17:32 AM EDT
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The predatory lending industry will might find out if pumping money into the statehouse was a good investment today this week... or next week. H. 3301, an industry-friendly bill paraded as reform, is scheduled for a second reading and debate on the Senate floor in Columbia. While the industry itself feigns opposition to the bill in its current form, this legislation is a paper tiger. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, an alleged champion of the free market and an unabashed friend to the state's predatory lenders, and other paid-to-promote tools claim state government is overstepping its authority by regulating an industry to death. Reform advocates want to put consumer protection before corporate profits. Political Science 101 tells us government is the structure through which we exercise the will of the people. Today Eventually we'll see if the people or the profits win this fight for control. If you haven't contacted your senator today, get on it.
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Mon Apr 06, 2009 at 19:57:25 PM EDT
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While GOPhers and tax deniers plan some sort of tea bagging party next Wednesday, a lot of Americans are trying to figure out how to get the total on line 71 bigger than line 61 before midnight, April 15. Luckily, the Internal Revenue Service is on your side. Wwwwhhhhaaaa?!?! Yeah, and the IRS not only wants to help you get your taxes done, they want you to get them done for free, and, if at all possible, they are going to try to put a little extra change in your pocket to help you out.  The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is available right here in Columbia, and all over the country, up until the tax deadline. If you make under $42,000 and only need to complete a basic return (sorry business owners and itemize-ers), certified volunteers can answer your questions, help you complete your 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ, and e-file on the spot with direct deposit refunds or payments at eight Midlands locations. Sounds great, right? See the complete list of Columbia VITA sites and hours HERE. A calendar view is available via Google Calendar HERE. And what event would be complete without a presence on facebook? You can also get this information from the United Way of the Midlands info line at 2-1-1. If you're not in Columbia, call 1-800-829-1040 to find your nearest VITA site. This might sound strange but stay with me: the IRS wants to help people out and they don't charge $200, offer an " instant refund" or pay some kid minimum wage to wear a statue of liberty outfit on the sidewalk. This is a no-gimmicks, no-frills community service program and I'm here to tell you it has had an incredible impact on the Midlands already this year. Don't forget to check the sites and times for more info or call 2-1-1 from a Columbia land line. Please share this information with others, and if you missed out this year, don't forget to look up a VITA site near you when it's time to complete those 2009 tax returns. |
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Wed Apr 01, 2009 at 22:59:12 PM EDT
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Some photos, videos and links for today's People's Stimulus Rally organized by the South Carolina Progressive Network. I hope everyone who attended will write their own account. The message was simple. The people of South Carolina need help now, and don't be confused by the vocal opposition: this is about investing now so we can save later, so there is something left to save later. This is about our public school system, our health and human services agencies, our higher education funding, and our law enforcement and public safety agency budgets. Make no mistake, this money will be spent and South Carolina will pay it back. The only question that remains is who receives this $700 million investment. Governor Sanford has had six years to get South Carolina on track and he has failed. I expect the local news stations will be uploading their coverage soon so please post those links as comments if you see some I've missed.
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Tue Mar 24, 2009 at 20:52:30 PM EDT
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Articles, posts and otherwise that I've really been meaning to write something about. Since mid-February. Maybe you'll find something you like...
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Mon Feb 16, 2009 at 08:33:32 AM EST
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From the SC Dept. of Consumer Affairs' Consumer Blog: Protect Yourself from ID theft and fraud. Bring your personal, financial and other sensitive materials to be shredded for FREE! Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009
Time: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: S. C. Department of Consumer Affairs, 3600 Forest Drive and Ben Lippen Elementary School, 500 St. Andrews Road. Shredding will be performed onsite by Carolina Records and Information Management and Shred 360
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Sun Feb 15, 2009 at 20:49:48 PM EST
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Temperatures in the Palmetto State have cooled off this weekend but that's no reason to expect the political scene to follow suit. Read on... For a live stream of these links and more, check out the Snead Feed.
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Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 23:22:29 PM EST
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From Leonardo's Notebook: On Tuesday February 10, 2009 a candle lit vigil will be held on the steps of the State House (Gervais Street Side). This is a vigil to honor the memory of Sean Kennedy and support his family - but also a vigil for justice as his murderer is scheduled for a parole hearing and is eligible for release. So come out on Tuesday night, come to support and console his family, come if you believe that justice is needed for this tragic loss. Come if you value human life and dignity. Come if you find it repugnant and against the very dignity of our humanity that someone is allowed to commit such a crime based on bigotry and prejudice and yet held to a lesser account by a state because it doesn't recognize the virulance and damaging qualities of such bigotry and prejudice. WHEN: Tuesday, February 10, 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. WHERE: SC State House north side, at the intersection of Main St. and Gervais A call to Vigil for Sean Kennedy
Sean's Last Wish
Facebook Event
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Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 07:02:59 AM EST
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In an apparent effort to capitalize on recent news regarding Michael Phelps' stay in Columbia, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott has proudly announced that he doesn't have enough to do during the day: Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott says he will charge Michael Phelps with a crime if he determines the Olympics hero smoked marijuana in Richland County. Phelps, who set a record with eight gold medals in the 2008 Summer Olympics, was photographed smoking a marijuana pipe at a November party in Columbia. The picture was published in the British newspaper News of the World. Phelps apologized Sunday, calling his behavior “inappropriate.” “This case is no different than any other case,” Lott said Monday. “This one might be a lot easier since we have photographs of someone using drugs and a partial confession. It’s a relatively easy case once we can determine where the crime occurred.” Possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $570 fine, plus court costs. But Lott seems to be the only person talking about making a case against Phelps. Both the USC and Columbia Police Departments said they would not pursue charges.
I expect Columbia officials to pursue Lott for the open city manager position. At this point, could they do any worse?
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Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:59:08 PM EST
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Tape-delayed to avoid Super Bowl festivities... - I actually intended to link to a Palmetto Scoop post this week, but a funny thing happened on the way to the Reader. Fogle's post accusing Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer's Senior Shield program of "ripping off seniors, taxpayers" disappeared. Luckily, Google Reader has a good memory. See and read the original post here
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