Report: Illegal Lobbying In SC

Federal “stimulus” money was used to illegally lobby local governments on behalf of new anti-smoking ordinances – efforts which were later covered up by the recipients of these taxpayer funds.
The revelations stem from a 2011-12 investigation launched by Cause of Action, a Washington, D.C. based organization that “advocates for government accountability.” Early this year, Cause of [...]

SCDHEC Public Conference Call Scheduled

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control will meet via conference call on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at 3:45 p.m. The Board Room, #3420, 2600 Bull St., Columbia, S.C. will be open for the public to listen to the proceedings.
Discussion will include the status of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. [...]

Cabinet Cat Fight?

The South Carolina press corps is buzzing after S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s welfare czarina dissed her health and environmental czarina prior to a press conference last week – an exchange which was captured by several open microphones (but never reported).
“We’re not going to steal the gov’s thunder,” S.C. Department of Social Services (SCDSS) director Lillian [...]

Catherine Templeton Makes GOP Watch List

S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) director Catherine Templeton was included on a national list of GOP officials to watch in 2013.
The list – published by Governing magazine – included thirteen other prominent GOP officials from across the country.
“She’s ruffled some feathers with personnel housecleaning at her new agency, but those moves have [...]

SC: More Taxpayer-Funded Boot Knockin’

MORE GOVERNMENT LOVE IN THE PALMETTO STATE 
Somebody better call the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) … because there’s clearly something in the water in the Palmetto State.
Again …
On the heels of our exclusive report detailing yet another sex scandal at one of our government-run schools, Upstate television WYFF TV-4 (NBC – Greenville-Spartanburg, [...]

SCDHEC Saves $46 Million

MORE MONEY FOR TAXPAYER REBATES? DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH, SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) will not seek a $50 million appropriation in the coming year’s budget for a host of unfunded mandates imposed by state and federal lawmakers, sources at the agency tell FITS.
Agency director Catherine Templeton will seek $4 [...]

Catherine Templeton For Congress?

PROBABLY NOT … BUT A “MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT” IS COMING AT HER AGENCY
Is Catherine Templeton about to resign her post at the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) to run for the U.S. Congress?
That’s the hottest rumor in Palmetto political circles this week … one relentlessly stoked by reports of a “major announcement” coming [...]

Government-Funded Abstinence Education: Not Working

BUT GROUPS ARE STILL MOOCHING OFF S.C. TAXPAYERS
A faith-based abstinence only organization based in Charleston, S.C. has raked in millions of dollars of government grants in recent years as part of a failed effort to prevent unwed mothers from having babies.
From 2006-2010, Heritage Community Services has received nearly $12 million – most of it in [...]

SCDHEC Backlog No Longer Piling Up

BUT CAN THIS SPRAWLING BUREAUCRACY CLEAR ITS PERMITTING PLATE?
Officials at the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) have stopped the bleeding when it comes to a massive backlog of expired environmental permits.  But how much progress are they making when it comes to reducing the pile of paperwork sitting on their desks?
Sources near [...]

It’s A Great Day … To Be Fat!

SOUTH CAROLINA’S OBESITY RATE PROJECTED TO SOAR OVER THE NEXT TWO DECADES
Already one of the fattest states in America,  South Carolina’s obesity rate is set to soar even higher over the next two decades – to the point where nearly two out of every three Palmetto State residents will be classified as obese.
According to the [...]

The Wire

TIPS, QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM FITS READERS
Welcome back to “the wire,” our pseudo-regular effort to engage the tips, comments and questions we receive here at FITS News.  As we continue working to improve this format (and prepare for the rollout of FITS 3.0) keep your tips, comments and questions coming!
Also check back later in the day [...]

SCDHEC: Red Or Black?

WHICH IS IT, MADAME DIRECTOR?
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) is running a $5 million deficit – or so says its new director, Catherine Templeton.
Wait … what?  Is she sure?  According to data compiled by the S.C. Comptroller General’s office, SCDHEC was running a surplus of $5.5 million as of July 1 – [...]