After a painful 2008 that saw his gubernatorial ambitions squelched and his king-sized ego battered and bruised, S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell (RINO-Charleston) has stayed mostly below the radar this year.
Until this weekend.
In a guest column published in La Socialista (a.k.a. The State newspaper), Harrell blasted Gov. Mark Sanford for “touting ideology over sound governing decisions” in the ongoing fight over $740 million in federal bureaucratic bailout money.
Harrell wants Sanford to designate that money for new spending, while the governor is insisting it go toward debt repayment. Our plan? Absent reforms lawmakers will never pass, give it to the people.
All indications are that Sanford will cave and reluctantly support as much as $300 million of these funds going toward new spending, although lawmakers who have been stoking fear on this for weeks probably won’t take “Yes” for an answer.
They want to fabricate a crisis of core services and pin the blame exclusively on Sanford.
Speaking of which, here’s Harrell regurgitating the RINOcrat talking points – which (surprise) consist exclusively of teachers being fired and convicted felons running wild in the streets:
This philosophical rejection could mean the firing of 2,000 to 5,000 teachers, 700 prison guards being let go, three or four prisons closed and 3,400 convicted felons released onto the streets.
Bullsh*t.
As we’ve said dozens of times, South Carolina’s state budget will be bigger this year than it was last year, which means that if any core services get cut, it’s purely for political theater – not any reflection of reality.
Also, as we’ve noted dozens of times, South Carolina’s eighty-five (editor’s note: too many) school districts are currently carrying forward balances of nearly $800 million – an amount more than double what it was four years ago.
Additionally, South Carolina has poured more than $1 billion in new money into its public education system over the last four years, only to watch it remain mired at the bottom of the national rankings.
Enough is enough.
Everybody’s facing tough decisions in this economic climate – individuals, families, businesses (large and small) … everybody.
Well, everybody except government, which continues to hold a knife to the neck of core services so it can keep the taxpayer-funded gravy train flowing for all the useless crap politicians want to spend our money – like a legislative police force, a vegetable marketing program or a new public school dental program (you know, since toothaches are the cause of our crappy academic achievement levels).
We’ll have a lot more on the “stimulus” debate this week, so stay tuned …
By Toyota Kawaski April 20, 2009 at 8:20 am
Yeash Mr. Rich anytime we can ink an article about your BS solution to Gov. Education we will.
By Philip Branton April 20, 2009 at 9:22 am
Great PHOTO……..!!!
Yeah, I read that SMOKE he wrote……!! I believe it is an EDITORIAL in todays….POST. I’ll Check right quick….
Is it the same as this one….
http://charleston.net/news/2009/apr/19/uneven_sanfordout_touch_withsouth_caroli79232/
I believe Bobby needs to start picking up after his DOG..!!!
By Mincing Words April 20, 2009 at 9:45 am
Why then, Will, are teachers being told their contracts won’t be renewed? I know several first and second year teachers who have no contracts for next year, and the lack of funding was given as an excuse. The school districts may be hoarding money, but the lack of services is definitely a problem if the districts are afraid to spend money they have because our legislature and governor continue to feud.
By BC April 20, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I concur Mincing Words. In fact, if you’re going to use quotes from a story at least include all the facts. Gov. Sanford presented his Executive Budget back in January of this year, but it does not take into account 2 recently enacted budget cuts. While the initial executive budget did cover core services, the reality is that these numbers are obsolete due to the cuts. The issues of rising unemployment will be fully felt by state and local government employees and school districts. These numbers will swell the unemployment rate and force many of them to be unemployed for a longer period of time since the majority have skills clearly focused in the public sector. Many of these professionals will have to seek work in either the federal sector, non-profit organizations, military service, and private sectors coming up the rear. This is due in part by more and more labor is available in the market that does not have adequate positions. The worst news will be for South Carolina in the long term when it comes to recruitment efforts at all echelons of public service. While many state agencies are preparing reduction-in-force plans (layoffs) it will mean longer lines, delayed processing of documents (to include court papers), delayed response from law enforcement, congested classrooms in which SC ranks at the bottom of most of the educational lists, and slower response times for emergency services (i.e. firefighters).
Many see this as scare tactics but ask anyone serving in public service at the administration or higher level and the reality is very plain. None of these factors take into account any natural disasters that could be waiting just around the corner. Take a hard look at Florida from last year in which they experienced 4 hurricanes in the same session. How do you think SC will recover from even half that number with less personnel to respond? Oh, and for all the free-market, supply-sided citizens that have a job remember this; employers are will not even give South Carolina a second look if services and programs are not there to support a well balanced work-life. Many employers take into consideration other factors beyond costs (i.e. secondary education and public safety.)
By Southern Boy April 20, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Will SOMEONE \ ANYONE please explain to me how the governor and his minions (including you, Willie) can say that “South Carolina’s state budget will be bigger this year than it was last year” when 1.5 billion dollars have been cut from the state budget??!! i was against the stimulus package but its the law so let’s use the money since we’re going to be paying it back anyway! sanford has NO CLUE (and doesn’t care) how difficult it is for middle class people such as myself to survive and provide for our families. he’s been fortunate to have been born into a wealthy family and married into money and hasn’t had to work a real job in his life. wish i had been that lucky.
By Philip Branton April 20, 2009 at 3:00 pm
WOW…Sic,
Can you believe the POST will censure….??
These were my comments….that now DO NOT show…
WELL……WELL….WELL..!!!!!
Bobby Harrell-asa….!!!!
Quote:
“…..our state is in need of a true leader. Someone who is prepared to govern with decisive action, not just political rhetoric and philosophical ideology….”
…SO you think Senator-O Robert-O Ford….is the MAN..????
WE WNAT TO KNOW..????
…do you think Rev. Amos “AMEN” Elliott…IS ????
…do YOU think Andre’ Bauer ..IS ?? Mr. “SNUG-ly”..??
….do you think McMaster…IS..???
Good LORD….BOBBY !!!!
Speaker of your HOUSE…..”decisive ACTION”..?? Tell us all here just what type of decisive ACTION a Governor can take when YOU and Glenn-ster HOLD the CHECKBOOK…!!!!!!??
Bobby….this fluff is nothing more than you taking your dog for a morning walk and letting your dog squat on the beach in front of the Governor’s private residence…!?!?! You can’t FOOL US…!!!!! It is YOU Sir standing there smiling as your dog turns around for a smell that FAILS to even recognize the fact that the WIND is blowing and it is ENERGY…!?!?! Bobby….what kind of LEADER are YOU..??? DId you speak at the “tea PArty”…?? Did YOU go to Greenville and stand there with SC Rep Gresham Barrett…!?!?! WELL….DID you …bucko…!?!?!
Have you passed out Blankets with Andre’ Bauer…!?!?!
Have you flip flopped with Robert FORD…!?!?!
What have you done with Henry McMaster…!?!?!
WE WANT TO KNOW………!?!?!?!?! (Fist POUNDz!~)
We highly suggest YOU pick up the PHONE and call Lonnie Carter and Lindsey Graham (He MOVES SAND!)
We highly suggest you find out where your TRASH is dumped….bucko !!!! Its PLASMA ENERGY….!!!
Bobby Harrell, do NOT tell US all here that your Golfing Buddy is the SC State Economics Advisor …JIM RAINEY !!!!?!?! Uh..oh !!!!??
Bobby……your WET !!!!
On ‘Uneven’ Sanford out of touch with South Carolinians
Posted on April 20 at 9:40 a.m.
SO Bobby………
what so you think about the CARBON Con-game….
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/7561...
Bobby ….when is the last time you had a BAGEL with Lonnie…??
On ‘Uneven’ Sanford out of touch with South Carolinians
Posted on April 19 at 11:53 p.m.
Posted on April 20 at 9:56 a.m.
WOW…Bobby,
How about this…..
http://www.aikenstandard.com/Local/0420C...
You mean that you are going to let Robert FORD, James CLYBURN and WHO else sneak a PRESSER by you..!?!
Bobby, if you take your dog to squat on the BEACH then don’t you think YOU should be the one to let CHU know that Lonni Carter knows that we have WIND….!?!
Have you seen the WEST VACO ….FLAG today!?!?!
On ‘Uneven’ Sanford out of touch with South Carolinians
By Richard April 20, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Harrell’s op-ed was nothing more than an act of pathetic opportunistic Bull*hit. What an arrogant prick!
By Hurting in Sanfordville April 20, 2009 at 6:58 pm
First, let me say, Phillip Branton…you need to call your psychiatrist for an emergency visit. Right now! You do not even make sense.
It is ridiculous to say this budget will be bigger than last years…it is truly laughable that you would even write that, given the massive cuts and furloughs.
The bottom line on the stimulus package is this. None of us wanted this tax increase, however it was a federal issue and if we do not take the money we will be paying for it anyway, while other states receive our share of the funds.
Sanford is running for President and has been from the beginning of his term. So instead of leading this state and reforming (which he promised to do), 8 years have not only been wasted but have set this state back. I frankly loved Harrell’s comparison of Sanford/Antoinette.
I seriously want to know: What is his argument for accepting some of the funds and rejecting other portions?
By fitsnews April 20, 2009 at 7:48 pm
“Hurting,”
You make a great point about the precariousness of Sanford’s position in your last sentence … err, question.
What is his argument? We wish we know. Frankly, we’re been critical of Sanford’s position ever since he came out with it.
Debt repayment? That is NOT cooking with gas.
We’ve also pointed out repeatedly that had the governor been serious about staying true to what he says he believes, he wouldn’t have certified a dime of these “stimulus” funds.
He’d have refused to sign the letter and let the chips fall.
Instead, he wanted (his words) the “preservation of option.”
That’s political, because he’ll now try and leverage the “options” he’s preserved to impact the budget debate locally and boost his name nationally (duh).
As much as Sanford is clearly playing politics, though, Leatherman and Harrell are shamefully exploiting people’s fears by threatening cuts to core services that are totally unnecessary.
That is much worse than what Sanford is doing in our book.
Oh, and the budget WILL be bigger this year. Why? Because of (DUH) the “stimulus.”
Add it up.
Even if Sanford successfully blocks this $740 million portion of “budget stabilization” funds, the fact is more money will be spent on state government this year than in any year on record – potentially more than $21 billion.
-FITS
By Owen April 21, 2009 at 11:06 am
FITS, I like your response to “Hurting”. Most columnists don’t have the vision or courage to agree on even the most minor point with a critic. Both of you raise the point that is the most cogent to me: Why is the governor forcing everyone to guess at his plan and his motives? I’ve always liked Sanford, but I realize now he has tremendous leadership deficiencies and, bottom-line, has not gotten the job done. He’s a smart guy but he acts now as if it’s South Carolina’s fault that we didn’t conform to his style of governance. Yes, the state has real institutional and constitutional problems. Did he find that out after being elected?