Awww … So … Cute
… BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE TO THIS ADORABLE STORY
FITSNews - May 21, 2008 - In case you haven’t seen the new television ad from Spartanburg Rep. Scott Talley, it’s all about how he drives 92 miles back home every day to read stories to his little kids instead of going to the booze-soaked special interest receptions frequented by most lawmakers after a hard day of wasting our money in Columbia, S.C..
Seriously, the ad is so good it’ll make you want to cry … well, until you examine the economic interest statements that Talley has filed with the State Ethics Commission.
Those documents show Talley attending 45 legislative receptions in 2006 alone - including 29 dinners at swanky Columbia restaurants and private clubs which were paid for by the likes of R.J. Reynolds, the S.C. Trial Lawyers Association (and the Defense Trial Lawyers Association, too), Data Recognition Corporation (which administers our state’s costly and ineffective PACT test), the S.C. Beer Wholesalers (which probably featured, um, beer), Southern Wine & Spirits (which probably feautured, um, spirits) and numerous other Columbia special interests.
Hmmmm … sure looks to us like somebody’s got some explaining to do. Because unless André Bauer is flying him, there’s no way Talley made it home in time to put the little rugrats to bed those 29 nights.
Additionally, attorneys with the House Ethics Committee told FITSNews that legislators are only required to report those receptions that they actually attend.
Furthermore, legislators are not required to report receptions to which the entire House of Representatives was invited, meaning that Talley’s total “reception count” could be much higher.
According to TV records in Spartanburg, Talley has put about $22,000 behind his “I don’t go to receptions” ad, which based on this information could end up being the worst investment he ever made.
UDPATE - FITSNews is sending an FOIA request to the Clerk of the S.C. House of Representatives this afternoon seeking records of any hotel reimbursements Talley has filed for over the last three years, in addition to his mileage reimbursements. Stay tuned …
Comments
By Gene E. Nowak on May 21st, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Does it bother others as it does me that the incumbent lawyer/legislators and their enablers spend so much time and ink blaming special interests for their election woes?
They claim that outside special interests are ganging up on them unfairly. Their real problem is their records reflect their inability to pass effective legislation and make meaningful improvements to way state government is run. Their real problem is they will not pass a truly balanced and conservative budget.
They have surrogates such as the leader of the SC lawyers claiming they are being attacked unfairly. They do not see their nominating, appointing, paying and practicing law before their hand-picked judges as a conflict of interest. They rarely pass legislation that does not enhance the income producing potential for their cronies and fellow lawyers.
By Suzanne on May 21st, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I’d say that 45 out of 365 is not too bad of an average actually! Unfortunately, most people that aren’t even in the legislature cannot say that they are home for dinner with the family or to read books to their kids 80% of the time.
By Upstater001 on May 22nd, 2008 at 7:44 am
Sic Willie,
Can you provide the links to these economic interest statements for public viewing? Thanks.
By Allan on May 22nd, 2008 at 7:58 am
Our House of Representatives only meets for about 109 days starting on the second Tuesday in January and ending no later than the first Thursday in June. That’s it! So, it looks like the attempt to get the, ahhhh factor, only works from people who don’t really know what is going on or can’t do the math. His commercial is politics as usual and a lot of people will fall for it.
We don’t need lawyers picking our judges or making our laws, that they benefit from directly.
It is the fox guarding the hen house.
Do people ever ask why there are so many lawyers in our elected positions? There is a reason why and it’s not because they are the smartest people we have in our society. It’s that they benefit the most from what is legislated.
By fitsnews on May 22nd, 2008 at 8:11 am
Upstater001,
There is now a link in the article you can click on to access the documents.
-FITSNews
By Gene E. Nowak on May 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 am
Suzanne, you failed to note that the article only mentioned those free meals, entertainment and gifts that have to be reported under the rules of the house. In as much as the Lawyer/legislators had a hand in writing the rules and left themselves numerous ways of avoiding disclosure of the actual number of times they were wine and dined by lobbying entities. The number may have been much higher and I think that 45 reported freebies in 109 day session is definitely different than your interpretation..
By Ted C. on May 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 am
The link to the document isn’t working.
By More from the landfill on May 22nd, 2008 at 10:01 am
You must really love that incoherent sack of bricks known as Lee Bright. Your boys endorsed him, after all.
By fitsnews on May 22nd, 2008 at 10:14 am
Ted-
We’re working on that … appreciate y’alls patience. For some reason our upload thingie isn’t working this AM …
-FITSNews
By Ted C. on May 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Still waiting. Where’s the proof Your Sicness?
By Allan on May 22nd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Mr. Landfill for Brains, it’s not that I like Bright so much, but let me put it into a perspective that you might understand.
Lets say we elect Bright for transportation director. Seeing how he runs a trucking company, he should also be in charge of regulating those trucks, setting rules that those trucks should operate under, and appointing those people who are going to make decisions on those rules and regulations.
Sound good to you?
If it does and you think it’s fair, go ahead and feel good about your vote for Talley. Nothing personal against him at all, just with what he and his profession stand to gain out of being politicians.
By David Ian Pendlebury on June 21st, 2008 at 12:02 am
It is alway’s laughable when a politician has to go negative to get attention. It shows what kind of cloth they are cut from.
Talley is a respected, young and derserving family man; rooted deeply in the values of hard work, perceverence, dedication and above all respect.
A deep respect for others, and the people he dilligently serves. There is a deep, quiet strenght in Talley that mirrors the good people of Spartanburg County. Never boastful or flambouyant, never loud, shrill or vindictive - he just gets it done, and gets more of it done, over and over.
Scott reminds me of someone like Seargent York - determined, resourceful, humble and hard working, but never one to shirk from a fight, never one to abandon his principles - Spartanburg County principle, South Carolina principles.
There is also a deep determination to do the right thing in everything he does. Talley gives you his every effort, and then some.
It is shameful to see such slander and vitriole, so eagerly heaped upon him, by those who either do not know him or simply don’t know any better.
What does Mr. Bright know about law?
Does he understand how a bill is formed, how it passes through it’s many different stages, and does he know how to move needed legislation through Government?
I for one, want a State Senator to know these things, and Talley does - knows the rules, knows the in’s and out’s of Government.
I am afraid Mr. bright would be a lost as a child’s first thought in doing the people’s business. Spartanburg County needs seasoned, knowledgable, hard working representatives that get this work done, and do so in manner that reflects the quiet strength of the district he has so successfully served.
Trackbacks