Today Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden) announced endorsements from 40 of his peers in the General Assembly.
"I'm grateful to my friends and colleagues in the legislature for standing with me and supporting me today," said Sheheen. "As governor, I'll work with them to tackle the many challenges facing our state."
Sheheen's announcement comes days after one of his primary rivals, Superintendent of Education Jim Rex, unveiled his own impressive list of high profile supporters from the state's education community. With less than 100 days to go before SC Democrats head to the polls, both campaigns appear to be turning to their natural bases to pump up support for their guy on primary day.
Below is the long list of legislators endorsing Sheheen today:
This is an unacceptable and heartless attack on women's access to healthcare, and we need you to speak out by asking the Chair of the committee, Representative Dan Cooper, to strip the amendment from the budget.
If the amendment is not removed, state employees will lose insurance coverage of abortion--which they currently ONLY have in cases of rape, incest, or when necessary to save the life of the woman. Attacking women's access to healthcare just to score political points is the worst kind of cynicism. Doing so in a year when families all across South Carolina are struggling to make ends meet is unconscionable.
Thank you for speaking out,
Jessica Bearden Director of Public Policy - Planned Parenthood
Last spring during Sanford's stimulus showdown with the General Assembly, the Governor's allies in the Senate introduced a bill calling on lawmakers to reaffirm South Carolina's constitutionally protected right to sovereignty and, by extension, the state's right to refuse $700 million in federal education funds. The bill never made it to a vote, but remained on the Senate's agenda to be taken up again this year.
On Tuesday, Sens. Lee Bright, Mike Rose, and congressional candidate Mick Mulvaney suddenly introduced a new, watered-down version of the bill now targeting federal health care reform. The sudden changes caught Democrats off guard, leading to the marathon filibuster currently consuming the S.C. Senate.
If passed, the revamped "10th Amendment" or "States' Rights Bill" would essentially send a strongly worded letter to Uncle Sam saying that when it comes to proposed federal health care reforms, the South Carolina Legislature says kiss off. It's a bold PR move in a state where one in five citizens lack health insurance. But in an election year when so many folks in our GOP-dominated state are hurting, S.C. Republicans are anxious to shift the public's focus northward to Washington -- to redefine the political debate as a S.C. v. D.C., good guys v. bad guys battle.
Senate Republicans argue the states rights' resolution will show shifty D.C. bureaucrats that S.C. lawmakers are serious about "stand[ing] up against massive government growth" and "excessive spending." However, their argument that passing a non-binding resolution would constitute a serious stand against federal legislation is not persuasive, neither is their claim to be champions of fiscal responsibility.
Spending valuable session hours to push a resolution that has no legal ramifications and provides no tangible benefits to struggling South Carolinians isn't an exercise in limited government. Rather, it epitomizes government waste -- wasted session hours, wasted tax dollars, and a wasted opportunity to begin crafting meaningful solutions to South Carolina's mounting problems.
It's the worst kind of political excess.
With a cooling economy, growing unemployment problem, and continuing state budget crisis to deal with, here's hoping that the SC GOP Senate Caucus can tone down the costly election year pandering and refocus their efforts on developing solutions for our problems here at home.
South Carolina's Sanford saga appears to be nearing a merciful end. From The State:
The S.C. House has passed a resolution expressing its disapproval of Gov. Mark Sanford's actions surrounding his secret trip to Argentina this past June. In a quick and lopsided vote, the House voted 102-11 to censure the governor. Last month, a House panel weighing impeachment rejected a bid to seek Sanford's removal from office.
Lawmakers deliberated the measure for roughly 20 minutes.
"Ladies and gentleman we have lived this nightmare for over seven months," said Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Richland, who headed the impeachment panel and authored the censure resolution. "It's time to put this issue behind us."
Those opposed to the resolution were mainly Democrats who preferred a bid to remove Sanford...
The impeachment resolution holds no legal weight. Sanford is facing 37 ethics commission charges related to his travel and his use of campaign funds. The governor could be fined up to $74,000 if the S.C. Ethics Commission determines he broke state ethics law.
The censure resolution now heads to the state Senate for consideration. However, whether Senators will have an opportunity to vote on a formal rebuke of Sanford remains unclear. Earlier this week, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston) told reporters he believes censuring the Governor would be "a waste of time" and predicted that the resolution would likely die if it gets tied up in debate.
(Just for giggles... Looks like somebody needs to update their prefile sheets. - promoted by Jennifer Read)
The South Carolina Conservative Action Council was out today at the State House stating they wanted legislators to "kill H. 3588" and holding up Confederate flags.
But there's a problem, and even WIS in Columbia didn't catch it.
A group of citizens gathered outside and inside the capitol, opposing a pre-filed bill. House bill 3588 would remove the Confederate flag from the State House grounds.
You see, the bill H. 3588 the SCCAC refers to died about two years ago. Instead, they are actually telling legislators to "kill" a bill that makes it against the law to leave a child unattended in a vehicle for more than five minutes.
You gotta love those pro-confederate supporters. When they stick to the past, they go all out.
(News 13 in Myrtle Beach gets props for catching this one.)
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The quality of leadership -- by the state's legislature, its current governor and, where applicable, its ousted governor.
The whiff of criminality in the state's top political leadership.
The severity of the state's policy challenges.
The intensity of the media circus surrounding state government.
Each state is graded in each category on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing the worst, the most severe or the most intense, and 1 representing the most benign. The categories are averaged to produce a final score and ranking.
On the issue of leadership, we get a big spankin' 10:
After his now infamous sojourn to Buenos Aires to visit his mistress, Gov. Mark Sanford (R) returned to South Carolina in a drastically weaker position than when he left. He had already alienated many in his state with his effort -- blocked by the courts -- to decline certain federal stimulus monies. Then he irked political leaders and constituents by leaving the state for several days without providing forwarding information. Finally, after his return, Sanford inexplicably volunteered to journalists a wealth of details about his unsettled personal life.
Our next best, uh, worst score is for "Media Circus" - a 9:
The Sanford story caught fire internationally and bequeathed a new euphemism -- "hiking the Appalachian Trail" -- to the English language. But as Sanford looks more and more likely to stay put, South Carolina has already begun to return to normalcy.
Our "statewide challenges" merit a 7 due to the unemployment rate and other issues such as infant mortality, premature births, stroke, diabetes, smoking prevention and violent crime.
About the only thing we come out looking good on is "criminality" where we get a score of 2.
The other five states (and rankings) on the list are:
6. California 4. Alaska 3. Illinois 2. Nevada 1. New York
If ever there was a time for women to take the spotlight in South Carolina politics, this is it. Between Rusty Depass' faux paux and Mark Sanford's zipper, you need to make a run for it ladies and start running things in the Palmetto State. According to the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics:
South Carolina ranks 50th - last - in the nation in terms of women in public office. In the 2007-2008 Legislature, there are two women State Senators and 13 women members of the House of Representatives, meaning just 8.8% of the Legislature is female.
Only one woman, Elizabeth Patterson (D), has ever been elected to Congress in her own right. She served in the US House of Representatives from 1987 to 1993.
Only three women in South Carolina history have been elected to statewide office: Lt. Governor Nancy Stevenson (1979-1982), Superintendent of Education Barbara Nielsen (1991-1999), and Superintendent of Education Inez Tennebaum (1999-2007).
Just two women are presidents of private colleges or universities, and women make up only 19% of the Boards of Trustees of public institutions.
Currently, there are zero female lawmakers in the South Carolina State Senate. If you still don't want to run, you can also work on someone's campaign. Either way, you are needed.
Aside from contacting your county and state parties, the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politicsis a good place to start. The organization supports women on both sides of the aisle running for office, and they offer candidate workshops. Also, the Center for Women has a campaign workshop coming up just for you:
I'm not all touchy-feely about political correctness, but some things are just stupid, and they make our state look stupid. Sure, folks have gotten used to the Confederate flag, a symbol commemorating acts of treason against the United States, a legacy of bad isms, and the historical basis for why South Carolina is a right-to-work state with a fondness for low-wage (slave) labor, flying at the State House. And, let's not forget the racist demagogue or two immortalized on the State House grounds. Several of them are even walking around alive on the inside.
According to the Associated Press, some folks at the State House don't have a big problem with a little historical ism or two because it's, like, totally historic:
The official manual of South Carolina’s Legislature continues to label some of the state’s former politicians as “Negro” or “scalawag” - apparent remnants of resentment over Reconstruction that no one has bothered to change.
A spokesman for Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who is considering a run for the top office, has sent a letter to House Clerk Charles Reid, calling the terms irrelevant.
Hmmm....a good term to use for your gubernatorial campaign. But, what does the House Clerk have to say about all this:
Reid compiles the book and says the lists are pulled from historical documents so he is cautious about changing them.
Well, it's hard to use a word processing program in the eighteenth century. And, what of the NAACP:
State NAACP president Lonnie Randolph says he isn’t bothered by the listings because they shed light on the people who made the entries and the people who keep them there.
Good point, Mr. Randolph, it does say a lot about South Carolina, and it ain't too good.
If the romanticized South is ever to rise again, or at least if South Carolina is going to move forward this century, we might want to make sure our ugliest ghosts don't keep rising up, forcing us move backwards for a few more centuries.
No shortage of shots being fired from the State House at the Governor's mansion this week, but this one from Glen McConnell stands out:
SC Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell Responds to Governor's Lawsuit McConnell: "Governor asks federal judge to usurp states' rights in quest for more power"
Columbia, SC - May 21, 2009 - South Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell today issued the following statement in response to Governor Mark Sanford's lawsuit:
"Governor Sanford says this court case is about the "balance of power." The truth is that this case is about his power. The Governor wants more of it, and he's willing to trample over states' rights to get it. He has run to the federal courts asking them to reinterpret our state Constitution so as to give him powers not granted to him by the people of South Carolina. While we have debated the 10th Amendment, little did we know the Governor was conspiring to ride over it in the federal courts.
For seven years Governor Mark Sanford has worked tirelessly to increase his power and the scope of South Carolina's executive branch of government. While working to centralize power under one individual, the Governor has continuously attacked the General Assembly for what he describes as liberal tendencies. Never before have I witnessed such hypocrisy as I did today when Governor Sanford asked a federal judge to usurp South Carolina's rights.
Whether the stimulus money should have been appropriated by the United State Congress was a federal matter. But the question of separation of powers involves the duties of the executive and legislative branches of government as prescribed by the South Carolina Constitution. As such, the rightful arbiter is the South Carolina Supreme Court. Either he is fearful of a South Carolina court ruling or he is playing to a national audience.
State Rep. Dennis Moss (formerly D-Gaffney) is now a proud member of the Grand Old Party.
With House Speaker Bobby Harrell and SCGOP Chairman Katon Dawson by his side, the District 29 Rep announced Friday that he is switching to the Republican Party.
"This was not an easy decision," Moss told the crowd. "But as my State House voting record indicates, I find myself serving with and siding with Republicans on the issues important to my constituents."
The Cherokee County legislator said he is joining the SCGOP because he feels that state and national Democrats no longer represent his conservative values on issues such as same-sex marriage, abortion, and gun ownership.
"[I]n the words of Ronald Reagan many years ago," Moss concluded, "'I did not leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.'"
Moss' decision to swap teams was likely influenced by the recent election of Republican Steve Moss (no relation to Dennis), who won the neighboring House District 30 seat formerly held by the late Democratic Rep. Olin Phillips. Both districts have been trending Republican for many years and Moss would have likely faced another tough GOP challenger in 2010.
For those of you keeping score at home, Moss' defection and last month's HD 30 special election bumps the GOP's majority in the House back up to pre-election '08 levels - a commanding 73 to 51 seats.
*Special thanks to Brian Frank for sending us the above video of Moss' announcement.
*Seeing Red - read the SCDP's response to Moss' switch below the break.
Columbia'sFree Times has a great article in its most recent issue about why we can't get out of the bottom forty when it comes to education in South Carolina. Too many people are living in the past or refusing to look to the future:
The state’s main problem, one that has existed since the state’s first free public schools were established around 1710, is how to close the longstanding gaps in funding and achievement between rich and poor areas of the state. It’s a fight taking place at the State House now against a dire financial backdrop: a pro-voucher governor withholding millions in federal funds designated to improve public education; some $300 million in cuts to public education because of the nation’s poor economy and a vulnerable state tax system; and legislation that allows districts to skirt the requirements of former Gov. Dick Riley’s Education Improvement Act, a move that has enabled teacher furloughs, larger class sizes and other measures.
Ron Aiken's article chronicles the history of education in South Carolina going back to colonial times, and what folks are and aren't doing now to move from minimally adequate to high quality education. Click here to check it out.
I'm still waiting for someone to tell me where the $1 billion in scholarship money will come from for our state's 191,000 children living in poverty. Their parents won't get a tax credit because they don't make enough to pay income tax.
And how many scholarships do you think will be available to the best local private schools whose tuition and fees are $10,000-$20,000?
There's a reason that the Chamber of Commerce is against this sham. We will never be able to compete globally - much less nationally - with an undereducated population.
One of Major League Baseball's legendary pitchers has thrown his full support behind Tim Spencer for Cherokee County's House District 30 seat in the special election to be held on April 28th to replace Spencer's late father-in-law, veteran Democratic lawmaker Rep. Olin Phillips.
Gaffney resident Gaylord Perry, a five-time all-star, two-time Cy Young Award Winner, and Hall of Fame pitcher, decided to support Tim Spencer after learning about his opposition to the landfill in Cherokee County, his stance on job creation, and his support of public education.
"Tim Spencer has the experience and know-how to lead during these difficult times", said Perry. "There is no time for on-the-job training in an economic crisis, and Tim would need none. We need Tim Spencer as our Representative to create jobs, improve public education, and to address our broken healthcare system."
"I couldn't be happier to have Gaylord Perry supporting my campaign," said Spencer. "He truly is a living legend and we are proud to call him a resident of Cherokee County."
Gaylord Perry also recorded a radio advertisement for Spencer on Friday and stopped by the Gaffney Ledger newspaper for a picture and interview with the Democratic candidate.
Tim Spencer has served on Cherokee County Council for six years and owns a small business in Gaffney that employs over twenty people. He is married with two children.
Spencer faces Blacksburg Republican Steve Moss in the April 28 special election.
If you haven't called Sanford's office yet at 734-2100, please do so. But let's also start making some calls to Sanford's 11 Disciples who stood with him at the SC Policy Council yesterday to support his stand on the stimulus.
Below you'll find State House, business and home numbers for the 11 Disciples. I'm not sure if the Senate is staying in town tomorrow or not, so I urge you to start by calling the home numbers this evening.
Don't worry if you don't live in their districts. When they take the oath of office, they pledge to serve the whole state, not just their neighborhoods. You have every right to call them, so start dialing now.
Sanford's 11 Disciples:
Sen. Lee Bright - Senate (803) 212-6108 Bus. (864) 587-1800 Home (864) 576-6742
Sen. Kevin Bryant - Senate (803) 212-6024 Cell (864) 202-8394
Sen. Tom Davis - Senate (803) 212-6008 Bus.(843) 252-8583
Sen. Larry Grooms - Senate (803) 212-6400
Sen. Mick Mulvaney - Senate (803) 212-6024 Cell (803) 246-1001
Sen. Shane Martin - Senate (803) 212-6100 Bus. (864) 585-4933 Home (864) 597-1619
Sen. Phil Shoopman - Senate (803) 212-6032 Home (864) 895-6446
Sen. Danny Verdin - Bus. (864) 984-4129 Home (864) 682-8914
Rep. Garry Smith - House (803) 734-3045 Bus. (864) 963-0337 Home (864) 963-0337
Rep. Tommy Stringer - House (803) 212-6881 Bus. (864) 877-9511 Home (864) 895-9896
Rep. Bill Wylie - House (803) 212-6883 Bus. (864) 419-3698 Home (864) 987-0575
I'm not all touchy-feely about political correctness, but some things are just stupid, and they make our state look stupid. Sure, folks have gotten used to the Confederate flag, a symbol commemorating acts of treason against the United States, a legacy of bad isms, and the historical basis for why South Carolina is a right-to-work state with a fondness for low-wage (slave) labor, flying at the State House. And, let's not forget the racist demagogue or two immortalized on the State House grounds. Several of them are even walking around alive on the inside.
One of Major League Baseball's legendary pitchers has thrown his full support behind 
