Sources: Tompkins Hired To Fight “Mega Mall Boondoggle”

By FITSNews || A company that’s opposing a $134 million handout for a politically-connected “Republican” developer has hired veteran S.C. lobbyist and political consultant J. Warren Tompkins to represent it at the S.C. State House, sources tell FITS.

The Tanger Company – which is working to kill a proposed “Mega Mall” incentives package that’s being considered by lawmakers – has reportedly hired Tompkins within the last week, which means the state’s preeminent “Republican in Name Only” (RINO) consultant is actually on the fiscally conservative side of a State House battle (for a change).

Why has Tanger hired Tompkins?  Simple … it doesn’t want to see its rival get a $134 million handout to build this proposed development in Beaufort County – and neither do we.

It’s bad business, people.  And besides … who’s to say Tanger execs won’t be coming back to lawmakers next year with their hands out?

Knowing Tompkins they will be …

Anyway, at this point it’s unclear if Tanger is continuing its relationship with the McNair law firm, which it had previously retained to lobby on this issue as a result of the firm’s connection to a coastal chamber of commerce organization that is opposing what has been dubbed the “Mega Mall Boondoggle.”

What is clear?  Both Sembler and Tanger have been buying up S.C. politicos like candy, the latest example of lawmakers choosing “pay-to-play” incentives for wealthy, politically-connected companies over comprehensive tax relief for individual taxpayers and small businesses.

As we’ve made clear on numerous occasions, we oppose this incentives deal vehemently – and not just because of this developer’s poor track record, the questionable legality of the incentives that are being offered and the fact that the proposed facility will cannibalize sales from local retail establishments – but for a much more fundamental reason, namely that government shouldn’t be picking winners and losers in the marketplace.

The Sembler Company – or any other firm – can build a “Mega Mall,” that’s fine by us … just don’t take $134 million of our tax dollars to do it.

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