SC

Bloated SC Government Wants $2 Billion More

South Carolina’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 – which is about as ridiculous as the federal government’s fiscal year running from October 1 to September 30. Seriously … do these people not have calendars? What’s so complicated about starting the year on January 1 and ending…

South Carolina’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 – which is about as ridiculous as the federal government’s fiscal year running from October 1 to September 30.

Seriously … do these people not have calendars? What’s so complicated about starting the year on January 1 and ending it on December 31?

Anyway … while the current fiscal year in South Carolina isn’t even halfway complete, state agencies are already submitting spending plans for FY 2014-15. In fact there’s a government webpage that’s posted several dozen of these “agency budget plans” online for your perusal.

And guess what … nearly all of them are asking for more of your money. How much? Another $2 billion – which would be added to the $24.2 billion appropriated a year ago.

The arch-offender? S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) – which wants $467.1 million in new money for the coming fiscal year. According to the agency, this money is necessary to cover the costs of Obamacare – although FITS readers will recall SCDHHS has been spending tens of millions of dollars to expand the state’s Medicaid rolls in recent years.

Obamacare + Haleycare = Expensive.

But all across state government – at agencies large and small, necessary and (mostly) unnecessary – the price tags are rising, increases first reported on by reporter Rick Brundrett of The Nerve.

The University of South Carolina wants another $190 million (presumably so it can keep pouring it into spectacularly failed economic development ventures). The S.C. Department of Education wants another $178 million – even though government-run schools are currently sitting on $1 billion in cash reserves.

Oh … and even though all the money in the world hasn’t turned around the Palmetto State’s worst- in-the-nation government-run education system.

Meanwhile the demonstrably failed “First Steps” agency – which oversees the state’s government-run early childhood education initiative – is seeking an additional $1.2 million. Also the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT) wants another $1 million to continue subsidizing its functions – none of which ought to be performed by government at any level.

Haley’s Department of Commerce wants another $17 million to continue bribing companies to come to South Carolina … in addition to the money the state is already borrowing toward that end.

Despite the fact Haley’s jobs record is substantially less than impressive …

This is insanity … pure inbredded insanity.

State government in South Carolina was already too big, too inefficient and too dysfunctional … and now we’re going to add $2 billion on top of the $24 billion that’s already going down the drain?

Sheesh …

Wonder where that will get us, right? Oh right … we already know where it will get us.

One notable exception to all of this expanded excess? The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) – which is not seeking any additional funding. In fact the agency’s director Catherine Templeton is seeking to return money to taxpayers (and to the federal government), but is being blocked in those efforts by bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. and Columbia.

Nikki Haley ran for office as a limited government conservative – and on changing the culture in Columbia.

Unfortunately, when it comes to stopping this government gravy train she’s done absolutely nothing.

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9 comments

Bob Dylan November 11, 2013 at 9:04 am

The federal government gets to print up the money to pay the bills, the state governments claim the need for more money as a result of price increases, and those paying the bills (the little people) get to tighten their buckles and do with less while all the various government agencies simply get more money to cope with the Fed created i the first place.

Do the little people get raises to account for inflation?

No.

What’s their special prize, Bob?

They are lucky to keep their jobs! No raises necessary! Price increases on staple good is just a matter of fact, no questions necessary either.

But hey, “Country’ll grow”. (or government at least)

Reply
El Kabong November 11, 2013 at 10:01 am

“Seriously … do these people not have calendars? What’s so complicated about starting the year on January 1 and ending it on December 31?”

Uhh..because the legislative session runs from Jan 1 to July 1?

Reply
Squishy123 November 12, 2013 at 8:37 am

Shit… the sessions run damn near year round in this state. Technically from Jan 1 to July 1, but in order to earn more money legislators stick around all year.

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El Kabong November 11, 2013 at 10:07 am

“One notable exception to all of this expanded excess? The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) – which is not seeking any additional funding.”

I guess you did not read the info you provided. The page you linked to indicates that DHEC IS requesting additional one time monies.

Reply
tomstickler November 11, 2013 at 10:29 am

No one in Haley’s administration should cry about the costs of expanded Medicaid, when PPACA offered to pay 100% of that cost for three years, and no less than 90% through 2020.

Yes, I know that PPACA would expand coverage beyond what South Carolina would do on its own, but it still looks like Kentucky will be using funds that Haley turned down.

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Budget watcher November 11, 2013 at 4:56 pm

LEATHERMAN has this money spent long before everyone else knew it existed.

He controls the State’s budget like it is his own.

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Clive Dirk November 12, 2013 at 1:25 am

I just hope the Hunley get its annual $12 million (funded via Clemson). It’s a real job-creator.

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mat catastrophe November 12, 2013 at 8:51 pm

We should sell the roads to Boeing and burn down the schools.

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snickering November 13, 2013 at 9:34 am

Most of the money is needed to pay state employees.

Reply

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