HOUSE VOTES 111-0 AGAINST NIKKI HALEY’S “SAVANNAH RIVER SELLOUT”
S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley was unanimously rebuked by the S.C. House of Representatives on Wednesday for her controversial appeasement of the state of Georgia’s port expansion plans.
By a stunning 111-0 vote, the House approved a resolution that “suspends the authority of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control” regarding all issues “pertaining to the navigability, depth, dredging, wastewater and sludge disposal, and related collateral issues concerning the South Carolina portion of the Savannah River.”
In other words, the House vote aims to restore – retroactive to 2007 – authority over these matters to the Savannah River Maritime Commission, the state agency that’s already statutorily tasked with representing South Carolina’s maritime interests on the river.
In fact, the legislation claims that Haley’s appointees “unlawfully usurped” the Commission’s authority, thus creating an “imminent and irreversible public health and environmental concern.”
As reported exclusively by FITS, the commission has already moved to block what’s become known as the “Savannah River Sellout.”
S.C. Senate President Glenn McConnell – who is sponsoring a companion bill in the S.C. Senate – has gone one further, calling Haley’s alleged quid pro quo the “rape of the river.”
Last November, Haley’s SCDHEC appointees reversed the agency’s previous decision and granted a controversial environmental permit to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). That decision will help position the port of Savannah to handle larger container ships, thus enhancing its competitive advantage at the expense of the Port of Charleston while effectively eliminating any chance that a deep water port will ever be constructed in Jasper County, S.C.
“This is as bad as when the Indians sold Manhattan for $27 in trinkets, but at least they got trinkets,” McConnell recently told The Charleston Post and Courier. “All we get is toxic sludge.”
It also guarantees that U.S. taxpayers will be on the hook for Savannah’s expansion – rather than private capital going to fund a Jasper County facility that would create thousands of South Carolina jobs and cause much less damage to the environment.
As we noted earlier this week, the controversy surrounding this scandal simply refuses to die down – and with good reason.
Whether Haley took money or favors (or both) in exchange for her appeasement – this decision is downright disastrous for our state’s economy as well as its environment. It’s also unfair to taxpayers who will now have to pay for a public port in Georgia when private investors were willing to build one on our side of the river.
While no lawmaker voted against the resolution, eleven lawmakers – including Republicans Nathan Ballentine, Eric Bikas, Chip Huggins, Philip Lowe, Ralph Norman and Thad Viers – abstained from voting.
“This vote represents a loud, bi-partisan rejection of this terrible decision by the Governor and her DHEC Board,” S.C. Rep. Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) said in a statement. “We will not allow our environment to be destroyed and our businesses crippled for the benefit of the state of Georgia”
(To view the roll call vote, click here. To view the legislation, click on the link below).
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By Shortstop January 25, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Wham! Bam! No thank you, ma’am!
By RecallNikki January 25, 2012 at 10:33 pm
The best think to happe. I hope OUR House and Senate members are FINALLY growing a set of balls. God knows they’ve needed to after such de-balling they done so far letting Haley anther administration get away with so much. It’s really been devastating to watch.
By jurisdoc January 25, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Republicans Nathan Ballentine, Eric Bikas, Chip Huggins, Philip Lowe, Ralph Norman and Thad Viers are pussies. Or, they’ve all had that curried pussy and are afraid they won’t get any more. Especially Viers, since his last skank had him arrested.
By Dr. (Well I'll Be) M.D. January 25, 2012 at 5:37 pm
what a bunch of stupid fucks!
By Dr. Sheldon Cooper January 25, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Excuse me, but what would constitute a stupid coitus? Hitting the wrong hole? Pulling out too soon. Nikki is baron you know. No sense in pulling out too soon. That would be a stupid fuck.
By Republican Remorse January 25, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Ballentine and huggins are reprehensible twerps with no balls, total suckups. They are an embarrassment and need to be voted out.
By No-Way January 25, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Nathan Ballentine, huh? What? Him and Nikki? No way? Really? Are you sure about him and Nikki?
By Crooner January 25, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Wow. Did they call her “Obama,” too?
By political hack January 25, 2012 at 5:34 pm
How about the those Union gangsters?
By Dr. Hannibal Lector January 25, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Indeed, Ballentine & Viers have already sacked the Governor after she licked their balls. I believe Huggins & Lowe got to third base before the steamy curry fumes became overwhelming. No telling why the remaining limp dicks failed to vote, other than to confirm they are truly limp dicks.
By Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali January 25, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Is Viers even showing up? Or is he now stalking with the Hubble? If he got violent with guys even looking at Candy’s jugs, no telling what happens when guys are now sucking on those puppies that he paid for.
By Dr. Doolittle January 25, 2012 at 6:00 pm
This is way too funny. The governor sold out SC to GA to get a convention speaking gig and some cash. Well, Mitt & the GOP now knows he wasted $64,000, and since she blew off Mitt’s concession speech for a fake birthday celebration….. she ain’t going to the convention, she is off the VP list, she ain’t hitting the road with anybody anymore. So……..she toasted her ass for nothing. Priceless.
By rwwllms January 25, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Not just priceless but priceless karma.
A Sikh Indian should know all about Karma. So yet another thing she is clueless about.
By Coast January 25, 2012 at 6:54 pm
And let’s not forget that Haley is no longer the national media darling as they are starting to write unflattering articles about her.
By Howard January 25, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Huffpost has a sizable collection of unflattering Nikki articles. Quite a delight if you have a minute, eh?
By No-Way January 25, 2012 at 10:39 pm
Wrong, she’ll get the speaking gig because of Governor Shady Deal and his friends.
By Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali January 25, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Oh my, the Coconut Queen of Mubia. Brown on the outside, white on the inside. (Including her multiple affairs.) Not ONE former colleague would stand by their lady? Not one? Other than the cowards who refused to vote?
By Capt Crunch January 25, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Now SCDHEC is rubbing salt in their own wounds by selecting No Show Templeton? She is the best candidate out there? Really?
By Dr. Pierce January 25, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Templeton is going to SCDHEC?
By Dr. Sheldon Cooper January 25, 2012 at 7:02 pm
I believe the Senate might have something to say about that appointment? Considering she has absolutely no knowledge or experience in the subject……..”Are you fucking kidding?”
By Dr. Devil January 25, 2012 at 7:17 pm
“I think there is a lot of mission creep,” the 41-year-old Mount Pleasant resident said earlier this month. “DHEC needs to decide what DHEC is, and go do that well. Not that DHEC is doing things poorly now, but if you do a whole lot, you are master of none.
This be a crazy, stupid ass bitch of bitches. Sweet Jesus
By LLR Employees January 25, 2012 at 6:31 pm
ALL TOGETHER……….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By SCDHEC Employees January 25, 2012 at 7:03 pm
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
By Just Deserts January 25, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Maybe Ron Cook can go back and become director of LLR now. He already knows the place.
By LLR Employee January 25, 2012 at 8:16 pm
Please, please, let the bitch go to DHEC and let her take a couple of other cocksuckers that work there as well!
She will never make it at DHEC. She’ll curl up in the fetal position and shit herself within a month.
By Just Deserts January 25, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Maybe the DHEC board better hold on to that pile of resumes for a while then.
By LLR Employee January 25, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Fuck Ron Cook! He will go to DHEC and take over their Bureau of Drug Control and fuck it up like he fucked up at LLR. He is known as Mr. Tort. He is going to break the Insurance Reserve Fund single handily with all the law suits he caused. Mark Kelly will soon be propped up in Ron house eating his food, kicking his dog, and pissing off his back porch, when he gets through with him in Federal Court. Word is he’ll have a nice summer home in Mt. Pleasant too, drinking all of Catherine’s liquor and and farting in her bed.
By Just Deserts January 25, 2012 at 8:42 pm
“will soon be propped up in Ron house eating his food, kicking his dog, and pissing off his back porch”
A figurative image that I will shamelessly steal for future use!
By Templeton's Maid January 26, 2012 at 7:02 am
Lord have Mercy! Please don’t drink all of her Gin. She is a mean, nasty women when she doesn’t get her Gin in the morning.
By Dr. Pierce January 26, 2012 at 8:52 am
LLR Employee, the Hershey Squirts come from no having a clue, whatsoever.
By Nikki's Skin & Stress Girl January 25, 2012 at 7:05 pm
Oh dear, where are my creams? Soaps? Bath oils? Vibrators? I need to get over to the mansion immediately. This is an emergency, where is my SLED escort? Nikki, my sweet Indian princess needs mommy.
By Dr. House January 25, 2012 at 7:07 pm
Damn, now that is impressive! It is like the entire House of Representatives got up on their tip toes and flipped Nikki the Almighty Bird. Hey Governor, FUCK YOU!!!
By Dr. Devil January 25, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Hey, Gina Smith of The State tweeted that Reps took turns ripping Haley and SCDHEC a new asshole. I love freshly torn ass.
By SC Port Captains January 25, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Hey Governor, FUCK YOU!!!
By SC Port Employees January 25, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Dear SC Governor Nikki Haley ….. FUCK YOU TOO!!!
By Rich Count! January 25, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Almost ALL: Fellow Romneybot Nathan Ballentine won’t go against trikki nikki. Ballentine is Queen Haley’s errand boy. Somebody run against this egomanic. So tired of the same bullshit!
By No-Way January 25, 2012 at 10:45 pm
I’ve told everyone I know in the Chapin-Irmo-Ballentine area to vote against Nathan Ballentine. He needs to go. Chip Huggins as well. Both are spineless.
By Dr. Governance January 25, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Yo, as a state representative her only bill was to get hair washers licensed. As Governor, its voter ID and hitting unions. There were no 956 dead voters, and 5% union is really a biggie to be proud.
By Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal January 25, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Nikki, what the hell is going on? You said you ruled the house and senate. You said you “so absolutely have total control with no question.” You said there was nothing the Assembly or Commission could do. You said it was a lock. You said it was money in the bank, but it looks like your bank only.
By RecallHaley January 25, 2012 at 10:49 pm
Now Governor Shady Deal, you know Governor Trikki Nikki out slicked you. I gt your money and favors, now I don’t have to stand by my convictions. I tricked you almost as good as I have the people in SC. Good luck with your port.
By Haley's COS Timmy January 25, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Gov. Deal, you can’t respond to the SC Governor like that!!!!
By Dr. Devil January 25, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Ah, some more freshly torn ass for dinner. Deal is gonna torch both of them. I love SC. I love freshly torn ass. Female ass.
By Penny January 25, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Wats up with all the Drs. lately?
By Drs January 25, 2012 at 8:07 pm
We love a good train wreck, great for business.
By Nimrata Sucks January 25, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Cha! Ching!
By sonnysboy January 25, 2012 at 8:10 pm
saw the Gov. at a get the vote out Romney event the night before the primary, she was first to speak, then Virginia’s Gov., he made her look like a genuine lightweight, hate to say
By Coroner's Inquest January 25, 2012 at 8:12 pm
I kind of doubt the blowhards in the senate have the guts or gumption to turn her down.
Oh sure, there will be a lot of honking and posturing but when it gets right down to it . . .
By Dr. Politicians January 25, 2012 at 8:22 pm
The State Representatives respectfully gave the Governor the Third Finger Salute. The State Senate will equally make SC citizens proud.
By Nimrata Sucks January 25, 2012 at 8:28 pm
We’ll see. They may allow her to get away with shit if they can have their way.
By barker January 25, 2012 at 8:30 pm
On the heels of the House vote? The Romney debacle? The thumb in the eye delivered by the DHEC board today? Her non-existent margin of victory 15 mos. ago?
Even the current lightweights of the Senate can find the resolve to buck that. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain by slapping her silly. There’s no lasting effect or effective recriminations for doing so.
The Dems will vote enmasse and the enough Pubs will do it just to even the score. Leatherman, McConnell, O’dell, Martin. Davis will hit the button as well. The only fools to oppose will be Bright and his caball of mental midgets. Even the Senior Senator and idealogue from Aiken is co-opted on this one. Hell he may have to shave his mustache and go incognito.
By Just Deserts January 25, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Is it just one committee, or is it the whole senate?
Still, I expect more to hear something like, “While we strongly [blah blah blah . . . the governor] in fairness to the designee herself, Ms. Templeton, we agree [blah blah blah].”
By RecallHaley January 25, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Peeler, Ryberg, Martin will give Trikki Nikki what she wants…
By Dr. Reality January 26, 2012 at 7:09 am
The Senate will scorch the earth with Haley’s hide by throwing a double whammy. The port & Templeton votes will be crushing defeats.
By Dr. Pierce January 26, 2012 at 8:54 am
I hear if you spank her silly she will scream for more.
By jimlewis,owb January 25, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Ain’t quite ready to jump on the wagon.
A Gypsy Queen is a very unique rare queer bird.
If she manages to get Templeton confirmed at DHEC, then I think it is back to square one with the Gypsy Queen regaining the high ground.
However, if the Senate rejects Templeton and affirms the House Resolution then maybe, just maybe there is a chance for the Legislature to take the high ground.
Don’t know why 11 members of the House did not vote but perhaps either they know something or they have had an up close experience with the Gypsy Queen and are scared shitless.
By RecallHaley January 25, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Senate will not go against Nikki. Some are seriously in jeopardy with the next election because of their stupid Haley support.
By Dr. Hannibal Lector January 26, 2012 at 8:58 am
The 11 vote-less representatives lost their frontal lobes due to inner cranial infestations via anal urinary viral transfer in the Governor’s office within the last three months.
By I Call BS January 25, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Keep posting, RB. The spotlight is coming back to you soon.
By SCBlues January 25, 2012 at 9:35 pm
You folks making a big deal out of this are too funny.
Haley could do sh*t like this every day of the week and twice on Sunday and she is still gonna be easily re-elected.
The joke is on all of you fools that elected her.
And all of the fools that will elect her again since she has that “R” after her name and claims to be a “Big Christian”.
Get a clue.
By RecallHaley January 25, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Haley a Christian, what’s in your tea? Seriously what are you sipping? I was at Mt Horeb the last couple of weeks, no Haley in site.
By Templeton's Maid January 26, 2012 at 7:05 am
Please give her Gin. If Catherine doesn’t get her Gin in the morning, she is a very mean and nasty women.
By Dr. Pierce January 26, 2012 at 7:53 am
Wait, I thought you told your dermatologist, Dr. Rashenpus that Catherine drinks Bloody Mary’s.
By Templeton's Maid January 26, 2012 at 7:54 am
Yes, to get her out of bed. The Gin is required before she takes a shower.
By Dr. Sheldon Cooper January 26, 2012 at 8:04 am
Mr. SCBlues… that may have been true before Haley flipped off the Tea Party yet again, and chose the candidate who promised to fulfill her national ambitions. The Tea Party got even, and voted for their candidate….Gingrich. The Tea Party will have her recalled way before the next election.
By SCBlues January 26, 2012 at 4:08 pm
To RecallHaley -
I’m all for the recall – how can I help make it happen?
To Dr. Sheldon Cooper – I certainly hope you are correct!
By Mt Horeb January 26, 2012 at 7:06 am
She has not dare show face since she robbed the GOP primary.
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By Ima January 26, 2012 at 7:41 am
Ah, PTT, I want to see the circus of your confirmation…
From the Post and Courier:
“A mother of three, Templeton makes no bones about not having moved to Columbia. She won’t do it for this job either.
“We’re at 2012. People can do their job from anywhere. I have never been accused of a poor work ethic. I couldn’t do any more sitting in an office in Columbia. When I’m needed, I’m there,” she said.”
& from The State:
“Still, Templeton has angered any number of people at the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation since Haley appointed her to the cabinet-level post last year. Among other things, she laid off about four dozen workers and has been sued.
She also has drawn heat for commuting to Columbia from Mount Pleasant, instead of moving here to run LLR. If confirmed, Templeton said she plans to work from DHEC’s North Charleston office, rather than the agency’s Columbia headquarters.
“Her going to DHEC is perfectly frightening,’’ Leventis said.
Templeton, a former Irmo resident and Wofford College graduate who attended USC law school, said she understands the Senate will have questions.
“It’s a long row to hoe with the Senate, so I’m not packing my bags,’’ she said. “I’m still at LLR until all the people that need to bless this, bless it.’’
I guess she’ll be all about GoToMeeting. So that while having morning hair of the dog, sitting in the lotus position.
By Ima January 26, 2012 at 7:46 am
posted too soon… sitting in the lotus position she can search for a delete some troubling records. Hmm, what would those be?
By Dr. Pierce January 26, 2012 at 7:49 am
Yes, hair of the dog. Naturally, for Templeton that would be a Gin & Tonic with a lime slice. But her maid’s dermatologist told me that Templeton demands Bloody Marys. Shaken, not stirred.
By Dr. Engorgement January 26, 2012 at 8:09 am
The lotus position allows for maximum circulation to the body parts most used the night before.
By Dr. Leonard Hofstadter January 26, 2012 at 8:10 am
Well, that certainly rules out her brain.
By GoTigers712 January 26, 2012 at 9:06 am
Bloody Marrys with Gin arent bad actually
and everyone likes a good BM in the morning :P
By Ima January 26, 2012 at 7:47 am
fingers not working today… hell, maybe i need a morning toddy.
By Dr. Leonard Hofstadter January 26, 2012 at 7:51 am
Ima, if you hurry, Catherine is starting up her morning yoga in about an hour. She always has gin related libations.
By Dr. Rashenpus January 26, 2012 at 7:58 am
No, no, not this morning. Catherine’s ache rose has flared up over night, the bandages must return to capture the draining.
By Jeffy01 January 26, 2012 at 8:03 am
Orange bowl?
By Dr. Rashenpus January 26, 2012 at 8:07 am
Yes, indeed. Ache rosa presents itself as dark pink unless there is drainage. The pus is a very bright orange.
By Dr. Sheldon Cooper January 26, 2012 at 8:14 am
I believe the Senate will follow the lead of their colleagues in the House and become ROCK STARS by denying SCDHEC both the port decision and Templeton fiasco.
By STFU January 26, 2012 at 8:19 am
Welcome to the show.
By LLR Employees January 26, 2012 at 8:38 am
Ms. Templeton, as you begin an exasperatingly slow transition from LLR, may we enthusiastically exclaim from the bottom of our hearts… FUCK YOU!!!
By SCDHEC Employees January 26, 2012 at 8:41 am
Ms. Templeton, please reconsider and FUCK OFF!!!
By SC State Representatives January 26, 2012 at 9:02 am
Governor Haley, we respectfully submit……. FUCK YOU!!!
By Dr. Frankenstein January 26, 2012 at 9:09 am
Governor, I understand the Attorney General has refused your injunction against Fitsnews. Millions of hits is not necessarily a strike against you. It could be a half strike against your half witted sorority slut in kind Templeton. Either way, I have a surprise for you at the Mansion.
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