GOVERNOR’S “SAVANNAH RIVER SELLOUT” SHOT DOWN AGAIN
With a pair of unanimous votes on Tuesday the S.C. Senate rebuked Gov. Nikki Haley over the “Savannah River Sellout,” her controversial appeasement of the state of Georgia’s port expansion plans.
The Senate votes come on the heels of a unanimous 111-0 vote in the S.C. House of Representatives last week.
First, Senators voted 35-0 to pass S. 1114 – a resolution which “suspends the authority of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)… for all decisions subsequent to 2007 related to all matters pertaining to the navigability, depth, dredging, wastewater and sludge disposal, and related collateral issues concerning the South Carolina portion of the Savannah River.”
The Senate resolution specifically suspends SCDHEC’s November decision to overturn the agency’s prior objections and grant a key environmental permit related to the Port of Savannah expansion project.
That decision – which has prompted outrage from Republicans and Democrats alike – would permit the Port of Savannah’s expansion to move forward, enhancing its competitive advantage at the expense of the Port of Charleston and effectively eliminating any chance that a deep water port will ever be constructed in Jasper County, S.C. In fact, the deal agreed to by Haley’s appointees would result it toxic sludge being dumped on the Jasper County port site for the next fifty years.
Haley’s deal 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.
“It is shameful that public officials and bureaucrats have blatantly blocked the development, with private capital, of a tremendous maritime asset in Jasper County,” said S.C. Sen. Tom Davis.
Haley has been accused of receiving financial and political favors from moneyed interests in Georgia in exchange for her advocacy on behalf of the Port of Savannah.
Moments after the 35-0 vote, Senators voted 37-0 to approve the resolution that passed the S.C. House last week – which in addition to suspending SCDHEC’s authority holds that the agency “unlawfully usurped” the authority of the Savannah River Maritime Commission in accommodating Georgia’s port plans.
As reported exclusively by FITS, the commission has already moved to block the decision – and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson is assisting commission members in their efforts.
As was the case in the S.C. House, a handful of Senators abstained from voting on the resolutions. Among them? S.C. Sen. Wes Hayes (RINO-York) and S.C. Sen. Luke Rankin (RINO-Myrtle Beach). Meanwhile S.C. Senator Mike Fair (RINO-Greenville) did not vote on the Senate resolution, but did vote to approve the House resolution.
To view the Senate roll call votes on both measures, click the links below …
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By semi February 1, 2012 at 9:08 am
“Having cleared both chambers unanimously, the House version of this legislation will soon make its way to Haley’s desk – at which point the governor must decide whether to risk another legislative and public relations beat down by vetoing it.”
This will set the tone for the rest of her tenure and her “working” relationship with the legislature. As usual Fair is ok with the House resolution, but rails against Senate’s resolution, what gives with him?
By Dr. (Well I'll Be) M.D. February 1, 2012 at 9:20 am
First, he is a complete hypocrite, second he is a complete imbecile and lastly is is a complete joke as a so-called christian leader. Fair needs to be returned home (permanently) to live out the rest of his days trying to make up his own mind!
By cash February 1, 2012 at 9:40 am
Only the losers such as Mr. Fair will side with Haley. Birds of a feather flock together.
By lexconserve February 1, 2012 at 9:46 am
I guess he never grew a pair. Must have been chromosome challeneged. I am sure there is a name for such a medical condition.
By ? February 1, 2012 at 9:41 am
I guess “Bitch Slapped II” was shelved for something more tame…lol…I think someone got to Will.
By rosie February 1, 2012 at 10:12 am
BAD news for USA when Obama win. East Jerusalem will be rule by fanatic muslim soon, USA will be prime mover to help Palestine to get 100 percent East Jerusalem. It will be a trap for Israel. You shall see there will be war ,bloodshed and they will rape Israel woman , put them into shame.Just watch ….USA is under wrath of GOD and Obama and his gangter will fall. Great Earthquake and Tsunami will be coming soon to USA. Prime Minster Israel will be in dilemma. His best friend so call USA will betray him. So Nikki Haley is right. Obama don’t like her…He hate the republican and Israel. When he give away east Jesrsalem fanatic islamic party everything that Obama do will be curse from GOD of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Listen Everything Nikki Haley is doing is to protect your state. Jesus said watch and pray.
By lexconserve February 1, 2012 at 10:26 am
WHAT?
By eggaday February 1, 2012 at 12:10 pm
huh?
that’s got prophesy a bit mixed up
By Smirks February 1, 2012 at 12:40 pm
“Listen Everything Nikki Haley is doing is to protect your state.”
Cool story bro.
By President Bachmann/Cain/Perry/Newt February 1, 2012 at 10:34 am
At least her Clemson Tigers got 33…this is a series of shutouts. Much deserved for this horror show of a governor.
By ? February 1, 2012 at 10:37 am
Haha! Is that the laundry list of Big T’s predictions I see in your name?
By President Bachmann/Cain/Perry/Newt February 1, 2012 at 12:26 pm
You are correct, ?.
By Former DHEC Lawyer February 1, 2012 at 10:57 am
Not sure what effect this will have on the permit, as I don’t think the Legislature has the legal authority to revoke a 401 Certification currently on appeal, well after it is issued, without running afoul of the federal Clean Water Act and the separation of powers clause of the state constitution.
So this “resolution” is probably nothing more than a glorified press release, designed to fool the public into thinking that the Legislature has fixed the problem, when in fact they haven’t – a FAVORITE tactic of SC pols (D’s and R’s) and one that works most of the time, given the box of rocks stupidity of the electorate in this state.
Revoking DHEC’s authority to issue 401 Certifications may mean that EPA can now withdraw its delegation authority and take over SC’s CWA permit program, which could mean that industries and sewer authorities currently discharging wastewater into our rivers and public sewers will have to go to EPA rather than DHEC for new permits and renewals.
This is called the law of unintended consequences.
But hey, Commissioner Templeton has this under control I am sure.
What a FUBAR.
And all over Mrs. Haley wanting to make a speech on national TV.
By vicupstate February 1, 2012 at 10:58 am
There are 46 senators. Which ones (besides Rankin, Hayes and Fair) didn’t vote?
By jimlewis,owb February 1, 2012 at 11:45 am
I would have liked to have seen the Headline read:
“SC Senate Craps in Nikki Haley’s Easter Basket”
with sub title:
“Senators Hayes, Rankin, and Fair suffered constipation and were unable to deliver”
By cash February 1, 2012 at 11:50 am
The words crap and Haley should always be used together from this point forward
By ? February 1, 2012 at 6:27 pm
haha! You failed to mention that Nikki was filmed rubbing all over herself and that it was packaged and sold to Asian porn stores.
By ? February 1, 2012 at 6:28 pm
edit: “rubbing it”
By Tim February 2, 2012 at 12:44 am
Good story. It identifies voting blocks. But geez… Isn’t the kind of activity that Savannah is getting a sign of failure? …more imports from China. How about doing something that is success… i.e. actually exporting something. Oh wait, that would require a protectionist tariff. That actually is one way that the Constitution of 1789 allows for federal revenue. Tax other countries, but don’t tax Americans.
By SC Sucks February 2, 2012 at 4:41 am
Georgia is already preparing to sue South Carolina and the Legislature in US District Court.
Oh well. We can afford to lose another legal battle at a cost of 10s of Millions of Dollars. After all, it’s not Glenn McConnells money.
South Carolina is doomed with this corrupt system. I will be so glad to move away from it and laugh from another state that is much better over all.
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