Reversing one of the few things that S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford did right during his eight years as governor, S.C. Rep. Nikki Haley says she will not submit executive budgets to the General Assembly in the increasingly likely event she takes his place next January.
Haley made her ill-conceived pledge privately to state lawmakers last week, but went public with the news Thursday during a speech in Charleston.
“You will see me do things a different way when we go into January,” Haley said.
Apparently so …
In making this fateful decision, Haley has removed a key plank of her bully pulpit before she’s even been elected, let alone sworn in. She’s also clearly signaling to state lawmakers that she will not challenge them on spending issues the way Sanford did – which is great news if you’re a state lawmaker, but awful news if you’re a South Carolina taxpayer.
“She will be complicit with (House Speaker Bobby) Harrell and (Ways and Means Chairman Dan) Cooper,” one furious fiscally-conservative lawmaker told FITS, referencing two key “Republican” architects of South Carolina’s recent spending orgy.
How big an issue is this?
Well, at $20.8 billion, this year’s state budget is South Carolina’s largest-ever – and Haley is throwing away her primary tool to frame the debate over how that money should be spent (and more importantly the debate over why we’re spending so damn much of it in the first place).
Here’s a little background … prior to Sanford’s election in 2002, South Carolina governors typically submitted budget “suggestions.” These flimsy documents weren’t “budgets” at all, though, they were merely recommendations for funding specific pet projects. The business of actually preparing a spending plan to run state government was left exclusively to lawmakers – with disastrous results for taxpayers.
Sanford – to his credit – turned that process on its ear, submitting detailed spending plans each year during his administration that could have actually been used to run state government. In the process the governor – or more precisely, his former deputy chief of staff Chad Walldorf – argued in favor of numerous tax cuts, spending reductions and structural changes that could have saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
Sanford and Walldorf also pioneered an “activity-based” budget model that approached spending from a zero-based, outcome driven perspective (i.e. “purchasing” core functions first) as opposed to the legislative model, which basically just increases funding from the previous year to every state agency based on special interest wishes, electoral considerations or insider horse-trading.
Seriously … Sanford’s first two budgets in particular were things of beauty, comprehensive reform blueprints that could have put South Carolina on a much more responsible fiscal course had they been adopted.
Obviously, that didn’t happen though.
Furious over his encroachment on their turf, lawmakers rebuffed Sanford’s ideas and literally used his budgets as doorstops – deepening a divide that has existed between the two branches of government for the past eight years.
That “divide” will probably be Haley’s excuse for foregoing the exercise altogether, but it’s a weak excuse in our book. After all, a desire to put aside past animosities is no excuse for not fulfilling your fiduciary duty to taxpayers – which is exactly what Haley is doing.
Or “not doing.”
As we noted earlier this year in discussing Sanford’s final budget proposal, the governor “has empowered future chief executives with a valuable new PR weapon (should they choose to use it).”
We’re absolutely shocked – and thoroughly disappointed – that Haley is choosing to lay that weapon down.
“I think she is scared she might actually win and have to govern,” one lawmaker told FITS.
Whether Haley is too lazy to do the work associated with preparing an executive budget or too scared to take on the all-powerful leaders of the General Assembly, either way she is once again backtracking on core commitments that she made to the taxpayers of this state – which is totally unacceptable.
Seriously, Haley is supposed to be taking the fight to the good ole boys … not waving the white flag before she’s even been elected.
Even if lawmakers were to ignore her fiscally-conservative budget proposals completely, Haley could hold their feet to the fire by issuing vetoes and campaigning against them (the latter being something Sanford failed to do in any meaningful sense during his term). Standing up to the status quo is the only way lasting common sense change can ever be accomplished … by building a fiscal conservative majority, not laying down and taking what the fiscally liberal General Assembly gives you.
Haley’s refusal to submit Executive Budgets is the clearest evidence yet that she would rather lay down (no pun intended) than fight … which is clearly NOT what Republican primary voters elected her to do.
We sincerely hope Haley reconsiders this decision. After all, she promised to be a reformer, not another “go along to get along” politician.
By Laura September 3, 2010 at 2:20 am
“Even if lawmakers were to ignore her fiscally-conservative budget proposals completely, Haley could hold their feet to the fire by issuing vetoes and campaigning against them (the latter being something Sanford failed to do in any meaningful sense during his term). Standing up to the status quo is the only way lasting common sense change can ever be accomplished … by building a fiscal conservative majority, not surrendering and taking what the fiscally liberal General Assembly gives you.”
Will,
I agree. Big disappointment that she has given up fighting with the legislature before entering office.
However, things always change. Once in office, she can indeed take up the bully pulpit as Sanford did and beat the legislators’ brains out.
2012 — re-election year for both Senate AND House — will be the “bull’s eye” date she should shoot for: labeling every spendthrift as being for “change” or “status quo.” Perhaps with a little help from the SCPC.
Looking at this from a two-year perspective, she may be giving the “drunken sailors” all the rope needed to hang themselves.
I can’t wait to vote my local legislators — both spendthrifts — out of office.
Have patience.
By Cherry September 3, 2010 at 7:01 am
“Whether Haley is too lazy to do the work”…..oh, I hope she doesn’t do the work, I hear she is really bad with numbers.
By Pussy Galore September 3, 2010 at 7:04 am
“Haley could hold their feet to the fire….” Oh, that is soooo kinky.
By TEA Partier September 3, 2010 at 7:13 am
I’ve got buyer’s remorse. I knew I shouldn’t have voted against Barrett for one vote.
By Jez Christ September 3, 2010 at 7:15 am
Thanks Tim Pearson. You are A plus.
By Jez Christ September 3, 2010 at 7:19 am
Tim Pearson. Thanks. And Stay tuned.
By wayne September 3, 2010 at 7:27 am
Does she even know what she’s going to say when a camera is stuck in her face?
By Cancerman September 3, 2010 at 7:44 am
Haley looks like shes got a little road wear in that picture.
By Inquiring Minds September 3, 2010 at 8:15 am
Has the Chamber of Commerce completely infiltrated her campaign? She sounds like their endorsed candidate!
By eggaday September 3, 2010 at 8:22 am
sanfraud was NOT a ” good steward” of tax payer money.
Haley or sanfraud in a skirt, won’t be either.
admit it Sic
By Rocky September 3, 2010 at 8:46 am
Tim – So how is that denial strategy working out for you?
By Old Bike Dude September 3, 2010 at 8:54 am
A hollow character. Nimrata is a sham.
By Soren Kay September 3, 2010 at 9:01 am
It should be state law that the governor must submit a budget… but until the governor is given a lot more power then it is a waste of time… and there are no PR advantages of doing it. In fact, it hurts you PR wise because it makes people wrongfully think the governor actually has a say. It’s better to send in suggestions and let people know they are just suggestions. It’s better to open up the process of how the budget gets written and to make sure there is more time for the whole legislature to review it.
By Catherine September 3, 2010 at 9:23 am
Apparently since the Good Ole Boys have “explained” things to her about how its gonna be — or else….Nimrata has decided to “play ball” with them.
I hope to hell A LOT of people that voted for her in the primary start having “buyer’s remorse”. All the smut stuff aside (and I think most of it is true and someone “has the goods”)…Nimrata is NOT who she wanted you to think she is….far from it.
So…..I guess we ain’t gonna be “takin’ it” to the GOB’s now?
By Queen September 3, 2010 at 9:39 am
There is too much “evidence” all over the place….she doesn’t know which way to turn. Poor dear…….it’s best to quit and let another RINO try to win.
By OhNoNotAgain September 3, 2010 at 9:51 am
Let’s say a governor’s budget takes 10 people 200 hours to prepare.
Let’s say, for the sake of argument, they all make $15 an hour. Not too high, not crazy low.
That would mean the governor’s budget might cost $300,000 to prepare.
Now, here’s where it gets to be fiscally conservative. Should the state spend $300,000 to prepare a document that’s hitting the shit can as soon as it reaches the legislature? Or should we spend that money elsewhere?
That, above, is the problem with SANFORD in this approach of preparing an executive budget. It was always good reading. But Every three or four years, he propose eliminating branch campuses of USC, and that would create absolutely unnecessary heart ache in places like Allendale and Lancaster. Because they feared the legislature might actually take him seriously, they got riled up.
And it was all so unnecessary. If he had sent over a proposal, we could save this much here doing this, it might have been taken seriously by the legislature. But he did what they view as their job, and it was a non-starter from the get-go.
So you could say Nikki is being fiscally conservative, not by saving any money, but by not wasting it.
However, she promises to work with the legislature in a different way. So if Nikki proposed a budget that she would compromise in some areas on, she might not be wasting that money.
Anywhoo.
By Recovering Lobbyist September 3, 2010 at 10:11 am
OK, so Nikki’s not going to be it. Who will carry the reform message now in Columbia?
By GoCocks69 September 3, 2010 at 10:22 am
Will – you are such an idiot! She will work with legislators on the front-end when budgets are being developed and worked out to get what she needs. I think she will have a better working relationship with the general assembly than Sanford did – because she has a personality and understands people – unlike Sanford.
By b September 3, 2010 at 10:26 am
She’ll prepare her budget and pay penalites for late filing! She’s an accountant who has contacts you know.
By sick of your sikh denial September 3, 2010 at 10:55 am
Nikki should drop out of the race, go back and finish her college degree and find something she’s good at.
By Expect September 3, 2010 at 11:03 am
Who the hell says that she is hot??? See picture above, this is how she looks without make-up creams…
By fitsnews September 3, 2010 at 11:12 am
Expect,
Oh come on she is attractive … but not as hot (or conservative) as Mrs. Sic.
One of many reasons Sic chose wisely.
-FITS
By Expect September 3, 2010 at 11:30 am
Sic, Did Nikki ever took shower together with you? Or have you seen her immediately after she took shower? I am just being curious how she looks when the make-up creams are washed…
By sick of your sikh denial September 3, 2010 at 11:42 am
I think that there should be a thorough background check, and credit check on every candidate. In large companies, these investigations are standard.
By Gary September 3, 2010 at 1:14 pm
This is another of those phony made up stories being peddled by Will Folks simply to write ANY THING about Haley (and this is the 14th story in the last ten days by a Haley obsessed mentally sick blogger)
Who cares who submits the budget as long as you have the power to veto. Even if she looks at this time to be more co-operative to the assembly to erase the memories of Sanford at least till elections, she can always stand her ground after elections if the budget is fiscally irresponsible..
As usual on any story about Haley- and this one is about budget- the “moderated” comments are as usual pornographic which has absolutely nothing to do with the subject.
By Billy September 3, 2010 at 2:02 pm
The law says the Governor must present an executive budget. Should would have to change the law first. I hope conservative legislators hold her feet to the fire…
By Every Breath You Take September 3, 2010 at 2:11 pm
This guy’s infatuation with Nikki Haley is rising to stalker level.
By Pussy Galore September 3, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Oooooo Gary !!! You are such a bad boy……now, what part of the park am I looking for???
By Prince Poppycock September 3, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Every Breath You Take – Oh my dear…….Sic Willie is no stalker, he isn’t even one of my customers. He simply has soooo much “background” information on the subject.
By Buddy September 3, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Yo…..Gary. Ya gotta stop that stuff. Or close your blinds. The Housing Association keeps getting complaints, and the department won’t be able to protect you much longer.
By Pussy Galore September 3, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Dang it Gary. The bugs are eating me alive. If you don’t hurry and show up………I’m putting my clothes back on and leaving.
By Cherry September 3, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Gary my boy……you should be so thankful that Sic Willie is so thoughtful. He lets you rant & rave, but never let me get a really good crack at ya!!! I mean…..you wanna talk porn?? I could rock your world!
By Insect September 3, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Although I no longer support Haley, that is one gorgeous photo of her.
Man, she looks like Joan Baez in her prime.
Other photos however, show her flat-chested, no arse, and — lord forbid — “skinny legs and all” (Joe Tex).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afRAK_MPbgc
By you are wrong September 4, 2010 at 12:59 am
There are good conservatives on the committee she could work with. She doesnt have to work with Cooper, White, or Harrell. Simrill, Merrill, and Edge are the leaders of the conservative movement
By Public School Teacher September 4, 2010 at 9:46 am
So she’s proving to South Carolina that she isn’t an ideologue. Can’t call her Sanford in a skirt now.
By sick of your sikh denial September 4, 2010 at 9:53 am
She’s looking like 20 miles of bad I-26. Pressure must be getting to her. I think a wise investment of all that consulting money would be restalyn or rejuvaderm.
By Jerry September 4, 2010 at 10:50 am
Nuts…this woman is nuts. We do not need a new GOP nut case in the Governor’s office. We already have one.
By Weasley Twins September 4, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Where is my post?
By sick of your sikh denial September 4, 2010 at 3:09 pm
She cannot budget. She cannot, as she is not capable. Just not that bright. Great with words, bad with numbers. Also great with guys!
By Dumbledore September 4, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Correction: My Pnoenix says terrible with words, horrendous with numbers, and fantastic with guys and gals.
By Dumbledore September 4, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Weasley – Your owl is chasing scabbers over at Hagrid’s Hut.
By James September 4, 2010 at 8:04 pm
For the love of Christ, please just stick with Florida Watching, Paris Sailin, sclawboy, or Not Sayin Just Sayin. The new names are overkill.
By sick of your sikh denial September 4, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Hey, Dumbldore, so we have a bisexual conservative. Only in SC!