A. Citizen: Self-Serving S.C. Lawmakers
By A. Citizen
Last Sunday’s edition of The State newspaper offered a mild rebuke of Gov. Mark Sanford for alluding to conflicts of interest in Columbia, but not naming names.
Since he decided not to, I’ve got a short list that might raise some eyebrows:
- Senator John Land is involved in the selection process for the judges who decide workers compensation cases. It’s no wonder, then, that his personal injury law firm made nearly $4 million in workers’ comp cases over the past few years. Wouldn’t most lawyers win their cases if the judge knew a few words from that attorney might mean the difference in them keeping their livelihood?
- In addition to being Speaker of the House and owning an insurance business, Bobby Harrell also owns a drug packaging business. Last year, it was reported that he badgered a state agency into doing business with another firm called Select Health, which has since spent thousands with the Speaker’s company.
- Senator Brad Hutto fought against strengthening DUI legislation, and fought to keep loopholes in. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that he represents drunk driving suspects.
- Representative David Mack has sent $700,000 through South Carolina State University to a Columbia-based non-profit. Maybe it’s just a coincidence that he works there.
- Senator John Matthews has sent a total of $350,000 through South Carolina State University to the Lower Orangeburg-Upper Dorchester Community Development Corporation – where, I’m sure it’s equally coincidental that he and his wife serve on the board.
- Speaking of non-profits, Representative Dan Cooper served on the board for a balloon festival in the Upstate, and sent a $250,000 competitive grant their way. I’m sure more non-profits would love to have that kind of powerful patron!
- Many legislators like to keep it in the family, too. Senator John Land’s son is on the Santee Cooper board, for example, and even though his term has expired, the Senate is allowing him to continue serving.
-Senator Hugh Leatherman’s son-in-law was a member of the SCDOT Commission until the SC Supreme Court declared his (and other members) appointment to be invalid. Speaker Harrell’s father was also on the DOT Commission, and his brother serves on the state Judicial Merit Screening Committee.
- Another legislator who likes to keep it in the family is Representative Ken Kennedy. He asked DHEC to send $18,000 to a hometown nonprofit that serves the elderly. Kennedy’s niece ended up being awarded money from a scholarship funded by that nonprofit.
- And speaking of DHEC, former Representative Joe Mahaffey asked them to send him a $24,000 check made out to the Middle Tyger Community Center. Mahaffey is on the nonprofit’s board.
- Sometimes it pays to be a legislator. Representative Harold Mitchell got a $500,000 grant for Regenesis Community Health Center. Shockingly, Mitchell’s day job is executive director of an affiliated Regenesis entity.
- Cronyism is institutionalized at the state Budget and Control Board, where they left in place a no-bid contract for insurance work for a firm connected to a former legislator. In this case, the state was being sapped for a couple of million dollars each year above the market value of the contract. Most people I talk to doubt the rest of us would be so lucky.
- All three commissioners at the Employment Security Commission are former legislators paid more than $100,000 in salary and thousands more in travel reimbursements to attend a few meetings a month.
-The cushy salaries don’t stop there, and aren’t limited to Columbia. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn’s daughter is a Public Service Commissioner making nearly $100,000.
The Bible says you can’t serve two masters. Sadly, far too many of our elected officials appear to be doing just that.
Editor’s Note: “A. Citizen” is an anonymous column written by FITS readers just like you. We accept submissions from any reader on any topic, and do not disclose anyone’s identity under any circumstances in the event we decide to (or not to) publish them. We reserve the right to edit as we deem necessary. To submit a column, just e-mail Sic Willie at w@fitsnews.com.
Comments
By forgot some... on January 9th, 2009 at 7:41 am
REPS. HALEY, BALLENTINE SOUGHT COMBINED $1.44 MILLION IN HIDDEN EARMARKS
http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2009/01/05/not-so-transparent-after-all/
By Cooter Brown on January 9th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Damnable kriminals! Weeze must vote out ALL incumberment– all of ‘em– an’ do it ebery electshun! Dey ain’t skeered of da peoples an’ dey outta bee!
By lou on January 9th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Most enlightening post A. Citizen. Thanks for sharing these facts.
And know there are more to come………
By Chris on January 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
“A longstanding budget tradition has been to send state dollars to the C.R. Neal Learning Center,
an after-school program that is part of the Bible Way Church — where Senator Darrell Jackson is the pastor.”
For some reason this disturbs more me than the others…maybe because, while I encourage the practice of following your religion, I am appalled that every taxpayer if forced under penalty of law to support a particular one.
By Catherine on January 9th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Of course we know these things are true — most are common knowledge if you have anything to do with the State House workings. It’s not even sex that sells in SC — it’s money. What I do not understand is how or why nothing is ever done about it? Is the Attorney General afraid to file corruption charges? What we do in SC tends to make Illinois look like the Vatican.
By Congratulations A. Citizen on January 9th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Sic Willie- A. Citizen is going to be a big hit.
By StupidShouldHurtMore (SSHM) on January 9th, 2009 at 11:00 am
A. Citizen,
You could also include ‘ole Will in this mix. Nikki “I’m not really THAT transparent” Haley PAID Will (aka, Viewpolitik) $1,310.27 in consulting fees, according to her Campaign Disclosure form from April 10, 2008.
Lots of favorable press here (FITSNews) for the Rep from District 87! You want transparency? Here:
SC Ethics – Public Reporting
http://www.sc.gov/PublicReporting/Index.aspx
(You will find Viewpolitik on the disclosure report there)
Who is Paying Will Folks?
http://sunnyplaceshadypeople.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/who-is-paying-will-folks-we-have-an-idea/
(Connecting the political dots is SOOOO much fun!)
In fact, from the “Who is Paying Will Folks” article, I have to put this out for the click-phobic among us (note – the article is dated Feb, 2008 – keep that in mind while you read what I am posting below):
“. . . Also, she’s taken in $1,750 from the payday lending industry, but there will certainly be more coming from the companies that either haven’t contributed or haven’t maxed out. Now, that amount may not look like much, considering Haley’s $60,243.75 (the majority from big pharma PACs) on hand for ‘08, but many State House candidates struggle to keep $5,000 per quarter.
Of course, Haley is the chairman of the subcommittee of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee that will hear the House payday lending bill first. Considering Folks’ jihad against legislators trying to go after these predatory bastards, shouldn’t he counsel her to sit this one out because of a “conflict of interest?†We suppose that being the chair of a particular subcommittee and taking cash from an industry being brought in front of that entity is perfectly OK in his warped mind. . .”
Maybe the title of the article should read: Self-Serving SC Lawmakers and Bloggers.
- SSHM
By Spencer Hill on January 9th, 2009 at 11:30 am
You got all of that right. On Rep Ken Kennedy the head of the non-profit that gave the scholarship was canned.Kennedy was reelected this fall after that. there are lot more of these.
How do we stop it? Tell me I’ll help.
By fitsnews on January 9th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Did Nikki and Nathan do anything to benefit themselves personally like the lawmakers in this story? Seriously, we know you’ve caught them openly and transparently signing letters in support of a few local spending items (although the Scoop hit piece is factually inaccurate through and through), but this story is about lawmakers who directed spending to themselves … companies they worked for, boards they served on, etc.
We fail to see where Nikki and Nathan did that.
We also fail to see the relevance of Sic Willie’s former client roster to this story, but thanks for at least refraining from the “Nikki and Will are f*cking” attack that the Speaker’s sycophants typically utilize on (and off) this website.
Again, “unfair, imbalanced” = how we roll.
-FITS
By Tired of the good ole boys on January 9th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Don’t forget the tens (if not hundreds) of millions of state dollars going to the Hunley project for Senator McConnell and his buddies. And not coincidentally, if you want to buy civil war or Hunley memorabilia, McConnell makes his living selling that kind of stuff.
By Winder on January 9th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
StupidShouldHurtMore: “Of course, Haley is the chairman of the subcommittee of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee….” NOT! You missed a big part of the transparency story….In fact, you basically missed the entire story….
By Roger on January 9th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
What kind of news story is this? That’s not news! That’s the reality of democracy!
By Richard on January 9th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
These are the exact type of legislators that stall our state and exemplify the “typical politician”. Greed and Power are the root of this evil. It is a PATHETIC WASTE OF LEADERSHIP!
By Cooter Brown on January 9th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Mista Roger,
A wise gent by da name of Thomas Jefferson once sayed a little somethin ’bout demockcrazy:
“Democracy is 51% of the people taking away the rights of the other 49%.”
If dis kind of kriminal activitie by those democraptically elected is ass-septable to young fellers like you, den th’ then weeze can look forward t’ moore tyrannie, more theft, and more slavery for the peoples of dis here land. I think dey calls it apathy…
I may be old, but I ain’t no man’s slave. If’n ye want to sumbit to dis kriminal combinashun, dat’s yer bitness, but I suggest that ye grow some testicles an’ fite for what is rite like Mista Sic here is a doin’ on dis innernet sight.
Shine som’ lite on deses crimes committed in the darkness an’ watch ‘em skatter like the palmetto bugs dat dey are.
You outta be ’shamed– “That’s the reality of democracy!” Why, if’n ye were my boy, I’d whoop ye!
Cooter
By roger the elder on January 9th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
SSHM — you are missing the point. Who care who gives Rep. Haley money? They all get money from pretty much the same people. It doesn’t matter, nor does it matter whom she pays as a consultant. She doesn’t hide it, and couldn’t even if she wanted to. What can be hidden is the personal money that gets made through the sweet little network these guys have set up. Campaign money is limited, public and not personal. I very seriously doubt even a legislator of much lesser character than Ms. Haley could be bought for a couple thousand dollars in campaign contributions. No, no. Not happening. The real bucks are under the table for payment to “consultants.” Money is directed very cleverly in this state. That’s the stuff everyone in the lobby knows about. You want to clean up the mess, force legislators to disclose all their sources of income. Only way to guarantee there are no conflicts of interest.
By Phillip Branton on January 9th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
LOL….LOL !!
WHAT…..does this say about AG Henry McMaster and Lt Gov Andre Bauer..?? AND they WANT to be Governor? OH…oh?!!!
WHAT…..does this say about Editors of our state’s newspapers ?? What if only 10% is true..?? Is this information that ALL Citizens should KNOW??
SO…..just WHAT exact steps should be done by WHOM to SOLVE this problem?
at least I have heard SANFORD screamin’ about transparency…..
WILL……I suggest you beat the Legislators to the punch. Go ahead and post ANY transactions between you and ANYONE that could be misconstrued as UNETHICAL..!!! Heck…..if you decide to accept any cheese ..just be UPFRONT and admit it. WE WILL DECIDE FOR OURSELVES…!! Unlike the fine press in this state which decides FOR US..!!!
By Phillip Branton on January 9th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
AG Henry “MAC DADDY” McMaster…….stop misleading fine citizens in GREER and I highly suggest you start “BELIEVING” in the LAWS of this fine STATE….You RAVENEL’er !!!? (Fist POUNDS!!!)
MY BACKSIDE…!!!!! I am imposing a “SILVER ALERT” on your blatant blindness toward…..WHAT ? Can you even guess..???? Maybe I need to get James Clyburn to steer AL FRANKEN to pay you a visit…?!?! Is that what it is going to take to get you to LOOK IN THE MIRROR ?!?! How are you and “Bow Wow” Bauer going to face this MUSIC in the “revealing” campaigns we run in this STATE ??? We want to know…??!!! (Fist POUNDS!!!)
Do you realize that if just ONE statement in this article is true that it makes you look like WHAT…??????? Can you imagine how it will look ONCE all the backslappin is revealed concerning SANTEE COOPER, COAL, WASTE MANAGEMENT, MRR, ……and YOUR Lack of ACTION ……much less your VOICE?!?!
GET BUSY…!!!!!!
By Phillip Branton on January 10th, 2009 at 12:05 am
HEY ….FITS …or any A. Citizen
How about digging around for info on the Dubai boyz at the “Inland” Port in Santee..??
As per this article….. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7817611.stm
….isn’t it ironic that the Dubai boyz operate the Port of Djibouti in Africa and stand to gain financially from increased shipping and support while funneling dollars to the very PIRATES..???!?
LOL…..
By Phillip Branton on January 10th, 2009 at 12:08 am
ALSO…..
As per article….. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7817355.stm
guess who the biggest importer of KHAT is…?? That’s right….DJIBOUTI !
By Clem on January 10th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Funny that no one seemed to mind when Strom, Jr. or Walt Wilkins (or Henry Mac back in the day) were appointed U.S. Attorney based solely on their family/political connections. Approx. $125,000- $150,000 yearly salary. Nice title to have had (former US Attorney) when you launch a political/legal career, especially since the average Joe has no idea how people really get the job…nepotism.
Nice work if you’re born into the right family of politicians.
When Clyburn does it it is outrageous, but when Strom, Billy and David or the McMaster family do it for their young, inexperienced, and/or unqualified children, it is accepted as politics as usual. No one dares speak out against it, but most of the lawyers in the state just shake their heads and shamefully accept it, rather than challenge it, for fear of retribution. Same reason Queen Jean rules with impunity.
By Mincing Words on January 10th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Mr. Branton, would you do us all a favor and read your entries before posting them? I know they must sound reasonable and comprehensible in your head, but I don’t think I am the only one who is not following a single thing you are trying to say because of the capitalization, interjections, and such. Thanking you in advance, Mincing Words
By Statesman on January 11th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Y’all leave Nathan alone! He locked me in at 4.75% and no origination fees on a 30yr mortgage! Whoa, he is helping his constituents on his day job as well! Bad part is having to pay a lawyer to close!
By the right side on January 12th, 2009 at 2:19 am
Branton: you need to watch football or get a date with your best guy. Do something to show us you are not over the top all the time.
By Elfago on January 13th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
This has gone on for years. All politics are nothing more than people building kingdoms to steal from the poor. All criminals should be released from prison because those we elect are more guilty than the average person serving time. They keep our people uneducated and beholding to them and they are very adept at controlling the masses. America needs a new Revolution in some form or another. I would like to see it accomplished without bloodshed but it may take that.Our young people no longer feel a debt to this country because of what they see and are taught.