By FITSNews || Just so there’s no “conflict of interest” here, we’d like to state for the record that we have been to the Heritage golf tournament on Hilton Head Island.
In fact, we had an absolute blast on the Island, along with all the other rich white people (well, and one black Congressman) who get to “roll like dat.” Nonetheless, the fact that the tournament is now facing financial difficulties is not the taxpayer’s problem – particularly not in these difficult economic times.
But this is South Carolina we’re talking about – where politicians and bureaucrats think that installing a friggin’ $200,000 putting green at a private County Club is a legitimate taxpayer-funded “educational expense.”
No … really.
In keeping with this generous spirit, S.C. Rep. Brian White (RINO-Anderson County), recently inserted $10 million in the state budget as a “safety net” for the Heritage tournament.
From the Hilton Head Island Packet:
The four-sentence proposal does not specifically mention the Heritage, but White said he submitted it to provide a safety net for Hilton Head Island’s marquee sporting event. Verizon won’t return as the tournament’s title sponsor after this year.
“It’s narrowly drawn to help the Heritage,” White said Tuesday of the proposal.
This year’s 42nd annual event will be held April 12-18 at Harbour Town Golf Links.
The proposal has been approved by the House Ways and Means Committee and will be added to the committee’s proposed state budget.
White said he submitted it after speaking with Rep. Bill Herbkersman, a Bluffton Republican and fellow Ways and Means member.
And yes, White and Herbkersman are both “Republicans.” At least “in name.”
Again, the argument these GOP boondogglers are advancing here is that the money the state spends on this tournament will pay for itself in terms of providing revenue to the region – which is probably correct.
But you know what? Giving $10 million directly to local small businesses – or to the individual taxpayers of Beaufort County – would also bring revenue to the region.
So why not do that?
In fact, who’s to say this is the best investment of our tax dollars?
This is fundamental problem when government starts picking winners and losers in the economy – it’s patently unfair. Plus, you never know when you’re going to pick a loser.
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By No Name March 4, 2010 at 11:20 am
Now even though I daily see scare stories in the papers about Teacher and Police furloghs ….I will wait to see which paper covers this crap.
With the budget problems we are about to face and are not facing or even talking about in the press…….if this goes uncommented on then like the Groundhog you can see it as 6 more years of misery.
Only in Anderson County can you find as stupid a M******F****** as this.
By Huhhh??? March 4, 2010 at 11:41 am
I heard this on ETVRadio yesterday and nearly wrecked my car.
It’s only $10M. I think they should just take up a collection from the residents if they want to keep this going.
These are times of great retrenchment. If a golf tournament = entertainment earn enough to support itself, it just may need to go away.
By Old Bike Dude March 4, 2010 at 11:53 am
On the same day that the budget for special needs folks got the ax. Stay classy republicans.
By Walking Around Money March 4, 2010 at 3:20 pm
It got covered by the State…page 2 of the Sports Section. Are you Kidding me?????????
By What? March 4, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Nothing much to add to the previous comments. What an absolute disgrace. Glad we have those “fiscally conservative” Republicans in the General Assembly.
By Reginald March 4, 2010 at 6:34 pm
So, the great state of SC wants to subsidize the PGA while imposing “income tax” on unemployment benefits. Pay out $M to a bunch of very rich almost exclusively white jocks, but hit the unemployed with a new tax.
F…ing brilliant.
Let’s see how many of the country club “Tea Partiers” in HHI come out against this gummint bailout.
By scooter March 4, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Agencies that help people, especially people with special needs:health/education/addiction/emotiional/aging, etc: are being cut like crazy. People are on the streets, are hungry, have lost their health care, can’t pay their utility bills, can’t work. Why, oh why, do we need to pay for a golf tournament? This is crazy stupid. Please, somebody, stand up for the needy, and stop making the rich white folks richer. I am ashamed of all of you. Oh, and I vote!!
By Insider March 4, 2010 at 8:20 pm
This doesn’t surprise me at all. The question is if the tournament gets its funding or finds a sponsor, does this mean these funds will not be needed? NO! Read how it is written into the budget! Sounds and reads like Brian White’s little slush fund.
By Skidmarks March 5, 2010 at 9:21 am
Furthermore, the tournament’s contract with Sea Pines is up for renewal after this year. If the tourney isn’t played at Harbor Town, then tv, golfer, and attendee interest will be zip.
By CommonSense March 5, 2010 at 10:40 am
Allocating money to provide for the Heritage Tournament is like handing that money to the business in Beaufort County. The positive publicity the event brings to Hilton Head is very helpful and rewarding for surrounding businesses in Beaufort County as well as the state because it provides as a top destination for tourism in the state and generates over 8 times the amount of money set aside for it in the proposed state budget by Representative Brian White.
The tournament has an $84 million impact on the state’s economy, according to a 2006 study by Clemson University, and contributed $1.2 million to charity last year. Since 1987, it has contributed almost $20 million to charities in South Carolina and Georgia.
This is one of the biggest economic producers for the Lowcountry of the this state and should not just be dismissed as a professional golf tournament. It’s vital to our state’s economy and should be looked on as such.
By Reality and Truth March 7, 2010 at 12:20 am
Ok, face the truth… where does your tax benefit money come from…. it does not come from people and events that do not make money. The week long Gullah Festival is a wonderful event and it continues the black heritage of SC but it does not contribute to the state financial budget with any significance … please look at the return on your investment. Known as the R.O.I. Invest $10 mil. and get $84 mil. back according to the Clemson study from 4 years ago. That is the truth and a 8 to 1 return is MAGNIFICENT! Please don’t let your own personal interest get in the way of “common sense”. Thank you for being responsible and reasonable with your opinion and your money.
By SCTeacher March 22, 2010 at 5:28 am
On the same day that we teachers in one SC high school were told that each of us has one ream of paper left( 500 sheets) to use for the remainder of the year, our state legislature votes to lend ten million dollars for a gold tournament! Absolutely amazing ! As always, I’ll go out and spend more of my own money for the classroom while big government lines its own pockets….
By JD October 12, 2010 at 3:14 pm
leave it to the GOP’s (rhymes with hops) to demogogue every issue. The 10 Mil was a loan. the tournament generates more than that for the local economy.