Watch It Grow
Over the past two weeks, we’ve heard S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell repeatedly defend the passage of his recent “transparency” rules change.
We’ve been harshly critical of Harrell’s proposal, which even his own henchman publicly admitted wasn’t real reform while they were passing it.
“We’re already doing roll call voting on 99% of these things,†admitted Rep. Brian White, who was sent by Harrell to the floor of the House to defend his plan.
It wasn’t surprising then, to read these reactions from the state’s mainstream editorial boards over the past few days …
S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell said that a measure he pushed through last week will make government more transparent. It will actually serve only to muddy the waters on how representatives vote - or don’t vote - on roll call measures. - The Aiken Standard, Dec. 5, 2008
Without adequate requirements for roll-call votes, how can taxpayers know where their legislators stand on issues? How can voters decide whom to support on Election Day? -The Charleston Post and Courier, Dec. 7, 2008
House Speaker Bobby Harrell is the state’s strongman — and primary obstacle to a transparent and accountable government … The latest example of Harrell’s obstructionism is his purging of two fellow House Republicans from prestigious committee assignments — all because they supported Gov. Sanford’s call for more on-the-record voting … - The Augusta Chronicle, Dec. 10, 2008
The hope must be, however, that Harrell and his cohorts recognize the weakness of their rules “reforms” and unite with the Senate to make legislative transparency a matter of law. -The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News, Dec. 12, 2008
Of course, as is often the case, we led the way with our analysis, noting less than an hour after the House vote that “the so-called ‘transparency’ sections of Harrell’s new rules change amount to little more than a codification of items the House is already required to record its votes on.”
Once again, though, it’s nice to have a posse.
Comments
By Silence the Noise on December 13th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Revenues are plumeting in South Carolina almost as fast as…..almost as fast as Bobby Harrell’s career is going down the tubes…..
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By Statesman on December 14th, 2008 at 2:06 am
I believe it all started with the voice vote on the legislative retirement increase amendment. It was reconsidered. Many people got involved. Many people contacted legislators and wrote letters to papers. With sites like this and others we were informed and took action! Haley and Ballentine were instrumental, along with FITS News. We can make our voices heard state wide, but we must be able to communicate locally to really affect individual legislators.
By HP on December 14th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I agree — communication is VITAL. We definitely aren’t getting the full picture from the local paper.
It may be bad medicine that this state government needs (fiscally and operationally), but that doesn’t diminish the dire need for it.
Thanks FITSnews!
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