What Should Go “On The Record?”
Later today, we’ll hear additional evidence from the S.C. Policy Council about how South Carolina has the least transparent government in the country. Their latest report will tell us that forty-five states currently require roll call voting (or recorded voting) for the final passage of bills, and that South Carolina is one of five states that doesn’t.
Yeah, color us not at all surprised on that. We’re bass-ackwards, backwoods (and backdoor) down here, Deliverance-style.
Additionally, we’ll learn later today that our state’s threshold for requesting (and getting) a recorded vote on a bill is the steepest of any state in the country, which is why so few votes in South Carolina actually take place “on the record.”
… and why so many RINO’s get to play Republicans during election years.
Anyway, since this issue was first raised by the Policy Council earlier this year, it has literally taken on a life of its own … in more ways that one.
First of all, South Carolina politicians (well, most of them) have figured out that “government transparency” is not only good public policy, but it sells extremely well in the hinterlands. In fact, widespread public support for the concept has prompted dozens of lawmakers to jump on the “open government” bandwagon this campaign season.
Second, the issue has clearly defined the current battle lines in a war for control of the Republican Party in South Carolina, as the big government wing of the GOP – led by House Speaker Bobby Harrell – is using the issue to try and eviscerate conservative leader Nikki Haley.
Simply put, Harrell and his fellow big spenders don’t want their votes open to public inspection, and Haley’s consistent pressure on the issue has enraged Harrell, who thrives on secrecy and intrigue to pull off his big government agenda.
Last week, Harrell officially made his move against Haley, with outgoing Majority Leader Jimmy Merrill and incoming Majority Leader Kenny Bingham holding the daggers for Harrell and firmly allying themselves with his big government philosophy.
But beyond Harrell and his RINO boy toys‘ war against fiscal conservatism – in fact, beyond even the issue of transparency – what’s the real reason that all of this should matter?
Specifically, what votes should lawmakers put “on the record” this year?
And do conservatives have enough votes to force lawmakers to take them up?
Obviously, earlier this year we laid out 95 issues that we believe in, and this coming January (for the first time ever) we’ll be preparing a “legislative agenda” for the upcoming session – one that lays out a comprehensive, conservative blueprint for turning this state around.
In the meantime, however, we want to hear from you …
What vote(s) do you want to see “on the record” in Columbia?
Comments
By AMA on November 12th, 2008 at 10:55 am
I would like to see a recorded vote of legislators before someone is declared “Doctor of the Day.” Too often the Speaker simply announces that someone in the balcony is here as the House’s “Doctor of the Day” and, like lemmings, the body then rises as one to honor the lucky sawbones. There are hundreds of thousands of medical professionals in South Carolina, most of whom are completely unaware tht such an honor exists, much less how they might campaign for it.
By HP on November 12th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Doctor of the Day is a distinction the general public could celebrate with them!
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