By FITSNews || By a vote of 69-43, the “Republican” controlled S.C. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to include a controversial $10 million loan for a private golf tournament in the state’s $21 billion budget.
The money is for the Heritage golf tournament, which is played each year on Hilton Head Island. Currently sponsored by Verizon, the tournament will be looking for a new sponsor in 2011 – although that effort has lost considerable steam now that state lawmakers appear ready to guarantee it (with your money).
As we noted in our previous coverage, the argument that these GOP boondogglers are advancing 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. Our counterpoint? 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? Who’s to say this is the best use of the money?
We polled this issue earlier this month when S.C. Rep. Brian White (RINO-Anderson) first inserted the money into the budget. An overwhelming majority of our readers – 84 percent – believe that taxpayers should not subsidize the tournament. Only 16 percent supported the expenditure.
While the Heritage is a PGA event, most of the game’s mega-stars skip it because it takes place the week after the Masters in Augusta. Still, it pays out $5.7 million – including a cool million to last year’s champion, Brian Gay.
Hmmm … rich, white golfers … is that really where we want our tax dollars going?
Apparently the House of Representatives thinks so. The House Journal – which will include a list of who voted for this ridiculousness – has yet to be published, but count on FITS to bring you that information as soon as it becomes available …
WEB EXTRA
Verizon Heritage
By Skidmarks March 18, 2010 at 8:31 am
The money would be much better spend on tv ads promoting all SC golf courses. Alabama does it.
By LibertFor Me March 18, 2010 at 9:10 am
This is ridiculous….If it cant make it on its merits then it should not exist…By the way,why does the state own and maintain golf courses??.
Why are people so blind and so easily brainwashed by backwards logic?
By Pinckney's Ghost March 18, 2010 at 9:16 am
If the heritage goes under, how am I going to cheat on my wife without her knowing about it?
By FITS Gals March 18, 2010 at 10:00 am
We’re sure some good ol’ boys somewhere are patting themselves on the back on this one.
xoxo,
FITS Gals
By fitsnews March 18, 2010 at 10:16 am
They are … it’s Rep. Bill Herbkersman (RINO-Bluffton) patting Rep. Brian White (RINO-Anderson) on the back.
Don’t like it?
Tell ‘em how you feel people …
Herbkersman Contact Page
White Contact Page
By Over My Dead Body March 18, 2010 at 10:21 am
Reasons people left the Republican party: I’d prefer 10 mil go to kids healthcare than some d-bag swinging a phallic substitute.
By Go Cocks March 18, 2010 at 10:53 am
FITS and learned readers…does anyone know the contractual provisions of the “loan”? What are the conditions under which the tournament pays back the loan or the state is left holding the bag?
By Liberty For Me March 18, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Go Cocks….I think the actual term for the repayment provisions were “wink,wink and nod” and the quote of “what money?”
By Admiral_Komack March 18, 2010 at 12:47 pm
“Hmmm … rich, white golfers … is that really where we want our tax dollars going?”
-Dude, that IS where our tax money is going!
FORE!
By Go Cocks! March 18, 2010 at 2:31 pm
^ LFM – that earned a good laugh!
By HHR March 18, 2010 at 4:02 pm
I used to like this site … until it started bashing everything. I have zero problem with a loan that will help sustain one of our state’s most popular events. Any clue how much revenue it brings to the state? It’s a four day advertisement for tourism in South Carolina, it brings hundreds of thousands of people to an area, who in turn spends millions of dollars, which keeps businesses operating, which keeps people employed … you get the point.
And for Christ’s sake what’s wrong with an event that caters to rich white golfers … they pay 80% of the fucking taxes anyway … ought to get something back. Generally it’s just pissed away on the poor who do little, if anything, to help themselves.
By Pat Hendrix March 18, 2010 at 4:23 pm
80 percent of taxes? Ugh, hardly. SC has a regressive tax system. On the federal level, the total tax burden (not just income tax) is only slightly progressive. http://www.ctj.org/pdf/taxday2009.pdf
In any event, I pay taxes, play golf (sometimes at Sea Pines) and believe this is a load of horseshit. Go to the bank like everybody else.
By Martha Washington March 18, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Many of those who voted for this probably get free tickets to attend.
These are the same folks who voted for the bailout I’d bet. (Someone who cares should do the comparison.)
I agree that there are a lot of people hurting in SC. I can’t justify this use of our tax dollars.
Oh wait-for a second i forgot that it isn’t our money…it belongs to the government and they just let us keep enough of it to feed ourselves.
By newzjunkie March 18, 2010 at 9:18 pm
@HHR: Let me guess what your initials stand for: Hungry, Hungry, RINO!
Please, don’t use Christ’s name and curse in the same sentence. That’s not Christ-like. And I see you are in the same bed as YOU LIE JOE! You don’t want a federal bailout, but you’ll take one to benefit your needs – DRUNKFEST GOLFING at it’s finest. If you do your research, you’ll know it’s the middle class that pays the majority of the taxes. The RINO’s just keep picking our pockets. This is WRONG! Freaking Three Rivers Music Festival couldn’t get money – a three day event that drew in revenue as well. But I don’t remember the State coming to their aid.
This is only the “republican” controlled party, controlling their pockets as they jack-up the prices of hotels, gas, etc. during that week. It’s always about them… Remember that…
By im cocky March 19, 2010 at 11:33 am
HHR – have you ever been to the Heritage?? It’s 80% people FROM SC who go down there to drink & eat & maybe see some golf. Maybe. It’s not a 4 days advertisement for tourism. It’s people from in-state who otherwise would steer clear of Yankee infiltrated Hilton Head. DO YOU have any idea how much revenue it brings to the state? Because I am pretty sure if it was SOOOOO high it wouldn’t need a government loan to keep it going.
And for the record – I love the Heritage, I attend & enjoy it every year – and yeah -I’m white – and above middle class -and I usually vote Republican. But this is ridiculous. We have kids in this state who don’t get 3 meals a day (especially from June – August when they’re not in public school) Sad that a golf tourney is now a priority over feeding children.
By Woodrow March 19, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Hey FITS, Indigo Journal has the vote tally up on their site. Post it yourself and call this SOBs out on this one. Please.