SC House “One-Ups” Senate On Transparency
After months of playing politics and attempting to evade responsibility on the issue, the S.C. House of Representatives finally approved sweeping transparency reforms today, a rare victory for common sense, accountable government as well as the taxpayers of South Carolina.
And the final vote was every bit as sweeping as the reforms … 115-0.
The House rules change passed today is virtually identical to the groundbreaking transparency legislation proposed last year by S.C. Rep. Nikki Haley, and it comes a day after the Senate adopted similar – albeit not as extensive – reforms to its rules.
The biggest difference between the two plans is that every section of the state budget will now receive an up-or-down vote in the House, which should provide for greater scrutiny of individual spending items in the state spending plan.
Passage of the rule change was an about-face for House leadership, which had spent months fighting against these reforms.
Just last month, in fact, Haley and fellow reformer Nathan Ballentine were demoted by House Speaker Bobby Harrell for their aggressive advocacy of transparency reform.
Obviously, like the Senate, the House now needs to take the final step of codifying these reforms into state law by passing Haley’s bill, but it’s difficult to find much to complain about given everything that the House included in its transparency rules change.
Props to all 115 House members who cast their votes on this issue today, to Gov. Mark Sanford for his consistent support and to Reps. Haley and Ballentine for standing firm in the face of a veritable onslaught of slings and arrows.
And last but certainly not least, thanks to the S.C. Policy Council for doing the research that got this whole thing started.
WEB EXTRAS:
S.C. Policy Council Statement on House Rules Changes
Governor’s Statement on House Rules Changes
Nikki Haley Statement on House Rules Changes
(Editor’s note: If you want your press release considered for inclusion in our web-extras section, just e-mail it to us …)
Comments
By Holy Transparent Govt. Batman on January 14th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I had to check my calendar to see if it was April Fool’s Day – but no- it dares one of think of other significant issues that can be addressed.
I did not see a way for the House Speaker to avoid this issue – he was on the flat out wrong side from day one and give him credit- he about-faced and did the right thing.
Congrats to all who made it an issue and kept pushing and pushing.
By Auntie on January 15th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Take a victory lap yourself, Sic! You did some fine work exposing the underbelly of the roll call debate — keep up the good work! Take your place on the reform team, and thanks for standing up to the bad guys. We know you’ve had a target on your back right along with the rest of them.
By Ron on January 15th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Will,
Thanks for your wonderful coverage of this issue! In my view, Haley and Ballentine should have their original committee assignments restored and/or the Speaker should be replaced. He’s a disgrace to SC. What i’d like to see the General Assembly do after, as you say, codifying these rules into state law, is to pursue the “on line check registries” for local government entities and school districts as proposed by the Comptroller General Eckstrom. If bloggers, the Policy Council, the Governor office, the Comptroller General’s office and citizen’s groups etc bring as much pressure to bear as with the “roll call voting” issue, then that too could become a reality in 09 making it one of the finest years on record for government reform in SC. Go FITSNEWS! Go Sic Willie!! Go SC Taxpayers Association!! Go Policy Council!! Go SC Bloggers!! Go Voters and Citizens of the Great State of South Carolina!! God Bless the USA!!
By PerezSays? on January 15th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
This is exciting! This issue was one felt by many in South Carolina. Its great that the house did something to benefit the people. I think this will (hopefully!) be the start to great change in South Carolina, something that we really do need. Kudos to Haley and Ballentine for standing up for what was right for the people (in other words, doing their job) and to you sic! for broadcasting SC’s internal strife! :)
By Ron on January 15th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Will,
I’m also hoping the Jimbo Merrill will again lead a charge for the elimination of “tax payer funded lobbyist” in 09. If we in SC could realize the codification of roll call voting, on line check registries for local governments and school districts, the elimination of taxpayer funded lobbyist, and meaningful school choice that would “put parents in charge” of their children’s education, it could be the finest year on record in SC for government reform!!! Lawmakers, let’s do it “for the people”. Our state and country are in huge trouble, and SC can lead the national reform effort if “WE’LL JUST DO IT”!! GOD BLESS SC, AND GOD BLESS THE USA!!
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