SCNewDems Blog

Coming clean on Howard Rich

Today, State Superintendent and Democratic candidate for governor Jim Rex issued a release asking the state's Republican candidates for governor to clear the air and state whether they or a representative of their campaigns met with Howard Rich, a New York billionaire who made a visit to SC this week, presumably to dole out generous support to candidates who pledge to back his agenda to pull money out of public education across our state.

We've long fought against Howard Rich's tactics to dance on the edge of SC campaign finance law, bypassing state limits on contributions to political candidates by spreading out contributions across dummy corporations and LLCs formed out of state.

Here's an excerpt of Rex's statement:

“South Carolina’s public schools are not for sale, and it’s time for those Republicans who are seeking the state’s highest office to denounce Rich, his money, and his influence and send him packing back to New York. Our schools are improving, and their lies, distortions, and scare tactics won’t change that. The people who are seeking the state’s Governor’s office should be an example for others – not pawn for out-of-state ideologues,” said Rex.

Rich is already at work, giving tens of thousands of dollars in the fourth quarter of 2009 to candidates for office. Among the candidates who have already received money are: Rick Quinn, Joey Millwood, Greg Delenny, Tracy Edge, and Tom Davis.

For more on Rich, visit:

FightHowardRich.org
StopHowardRichSC.blogspot.com
Wolfe Reports' ongoing reporting on Rich

Fmr. SCGOP Chair Katon Dawson and his friend, "Howie":

POLL: What did you think of the State of the Union?

Last night, President Obama delivered the State of the Union address to Congress.  If you haven't seen it, check out the White House website to get the video.

If you have seen it, what did you think?  Take our poll and leave a comment below to leave your thoughts.

Thank You, Andre Bauer

If you were thinking that it had been a while since Jon Stewart lampooned the latest SC politician to step in it, in his "Thank You South Carolina" segment, you were right--almost a whole 6 months! This time, Stewart pays tribute to Andre Bauer's recent foray into public-policy-metaphor, when he compared government aid to the poor to "feeding stray animals." Just for good measure, Stewart named Bauer, who would be next in the line of succession and is himself running for the GOP nod this time around, as the reason why Gov. Sanford managed to dodge impeachment late last year. In Bauer's defense, he later qualified his statements, saying he is "not against animals."

In other news, last week, Charleston attorney (and Democrat) Ashley Cooper announced his campaign to replace Andre Bauer as SC's Lieutenant Governor.

Also, just for fair warning, this clip would probably come in on the lighter side of PG-13.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Thank You, South Carolina - Andre Bauer
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

House Democrats unveil agenda for session

Late last week, SC House Democrats rolled out their legislative agenda for the 2010 session, placing the state budget, aiding economic recovery, ethics reform, and education at the top of the party's list.

House Minority Leader, Harry Ott:

With our state suffering the worst economic recession in 75 years, more than 600,000 people out of work and with a half-billion dollar budget deficit, the people of South Carolina want lawmakers to focus on solving our systemic problems...

Last week, South Carolina's unemployment rate rose to its second record high in as many months, with 12.6% of the state, more than 600,000 South Carolinians, unemployed.

The Post and Courier's Yvonne Wenger sums up the agenda items:

• Transparency and ethics reform: Strengthen and enforce ethics laws and disclosure standards.
• Rebuilding the economy: Promote new energy industries as a way to diversify and rebuild the economy, including tax credits for the production and use of renewable energy sources; and prepare the workforce by overhauling the Employment Security Commission and improving public schools.
• Tax and budget reform: Put 10 percent of spending in a savings account, require any fee increases to be passed in the open and extend the scope of the Tax Realignment Commission to include the 2006 sales tax swap that eliminated some property taxes for homeowners.

Read the full release here (PDF)

Last week, the House GOP released its agenda as well.  Without naming policy specifics, House Republicans said their top priorities are: economy, education, limited government, and "protecting state's rights."

Remembering Dr. King

In his op-ed today in The State, SC NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous writes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

A man of noble vision, Dr. King once said: "Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." It is time for America to carry on the legacy that Dr. King has left us by dedicating itself to the improvement of our communities, embracing a passion for social justice and working tirelessly to ensure that his dream becomes a reality.

"The State" looks at upcoming session

Over the weekend, "The State" ran a thoughtful look at what's on tap for the upcoming legislative session, set to begin on Tuesday.  When the the general assembly is gaveled into session, state lawmakers will get their first crack at setting the state on the right course in 2010.  "The State" diagnosis comes in three parts:  reducing waste to increase efficiency, rethinking policy priorities, and overhauling the tax system.

Click here to read the full article.

We are so far in the hole, and won't recover for so long, that we as a state must establish a new normal. This must be Job 1 - and 2 through 10 - when lawmakers return to Columbia Tuesday for the 2010 General Assembly.

This will be painful, but it could be the best thing that has ever happened to our state. At the risk of sounding trite, the problems our state faces present us with enormous opportunities - to make long-needed changes that our lawmakers didn't have the political will to make and the public didn't demand.

Lawmakers must define exactly what it is that our government must do, figure out the smartest, most efficient way to do it, eliminate everything else - and provide the funding to make sure it does those things well.

Have an idea for a New Year's Resolution for your elected official?  Tell us NOW, we'll pass them on to lawmakers when session begins this week.

Columbia politicians are waiting to hear from YOU!

Earlier this week, we launched our "New Year, New Democrat" campaign, asking you to submit your New Year's Resolution for our elected officials in Columbia if you could walk in their shoes in the halls of power on Gervais St.

Well, so far the response has been great, hundreds of you have sent in some great ideas, but we're not done yet! This year's session starts on Tuesday and the New Year's Resolutions are still rolling in. Click here to submit your New Year's Resolution.

Here are just a few:

"I'm very hopeful that you guys can help create some new jobs in SC to help stimulate the economy and job market."
- Raymond in Columbia

"We have shown what NOT providing education does, let us step up and become a leader not only in K-12 but adult continuing education and community/tech colleges that breed small businesses. [...] The longer we delay the poorer this state will become."
- Barrie in Rock Hill

"Change the regressive tax structure in this state."
- Deborah in Summerville

"Begin work on the rail system and offer strong incentives for solar power in private homes."
- Geraldine in Aynor

What's your New Year's Resolution for our lawmakers? Click here to let us know!

We'll be looking at the submissions over the weekend and compile them to send to Columbia next week after the session begins!

McCaskill: DeMint "Nuts" to Block TSA Nominee

This morning, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) said it was "nuts" for Senator DeMint to continue to pursue his hold on TSA chief nominee Erroll Southers over concerns about allowing TSA employees to join unions.

Check out the video from CNN here:

Watch the whole interview here.