Capital Conflicted

S.C. Lobbyist Richard Davis hates it when we call him a Democrat – even though he used to work for a Democratic congressman and has typically confined his “Republican” relationships to establishment RINO’s like Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman or House Speaker Bobby Harrell.

But seeing as those two happen to run their respective legislative chambers when it comes to budget matters, business has been pretty good for Davis.

In the last few months, however, it appears Davis has been busy expanding his Republican influence – on the one hand with a strong conservative lawmaker, Rep. Tracy Edge (R-Myrtle Beach), and on the other with a die-hard RINO, Rep. Joan Brady (R-Columbia) who has apparently become quite adept at getting her children jobs with prominent establishment firms.

According to documents obtained by FITS, Davis has teamed up with Edge to promote a company called Coastal Carolina Bancshares, Inc., which is raising money to start a new bank in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

In fact, the company’s organizers – which include fellow GOP Rep. Nelson Hardwick – are holding an “investment reception” on Feb. 10 at the swanky Palmetto Club in downtown Columbia, and while neither Davis nor Edge are listed as organizers of the bank, both of their names appear on the invitation to the event.

What’s wrong with that?

Well, if Davis is assisting Edge in raising money for a bank in which either of them have a financial stake, that could raise some serious ethical problems.

How come?

At least a dozen of Davis’ lobbying clients are in the health care field, and Edge just so happens to be Chairman of the Health, Human Services and Medicaid subcommitee – which takes the first legislative shot at drafting the state’s health care spending plan every year.

In other words, if there was one lawmaker Davis would be wise to help out in a venture like this, it would be Edge, whose committee will make hundreds of budget decisions that impact his business.

Of course, given his armada of health care clients, Davis also follows state insurance policy quite closely and this year, the lawmaker most responsible for handling those issues is Rep. Joan Brady – who was recently appointed Chairman of the House Insurance subcommittee.

According to our sources, Davis appears to have covered his bets with Brady as well.

How? By giving a job to her son, Kevin.

If true, it wouldn’t be surprising.

Brady – who has been a staunch opponent of parental choice in education ever since she was elected (with school choice dollars, ironically) – was able to secure a job for her daughter at Chernoff Newman, one of the public relations firms that has led the fight against parental choice.

Obviously, we’re not accusing Davis, Edge or Brady of breaking any laws.

And even if they had, it’s doubtful our worse-than-useless State Ethics Commission would do anything about it.

What we are saying is that this is precisely the sort of ethically questionable back-scratching that goes on every day at the State House, impacting public policy decisions that involve millions of dollars.

WEB EXTRA:

Coastal Bancshares Invitation

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