TIPS, COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FROM FITS READERS
Welcome to “The Wire!” We’re nine days away from the Mayan apocalypse, thirteen days away from Christmas and nineteen days away from the “fiscal cliff.”
It’s a busy week in South Carolina politics. State lawmakers pre-filed their first pieces of legislation this week in advance of the 2013 session of the S.C. General Assembly, and we’ll be pouring through that stack of (usually status quo) bills in the hopes that a few decent reforms have been included.
Our expectation? Lots of “lumps of coal” for South Carolina taxpayers.
There’s also a big meeting of the S.C. Budget and Control Board (SCBCB) – at which State Treasurer Curtis Loftis will continue his push for greater transparency and accountability in how the state manages its $25 billion retirement fund. So far, the fund has been sorely lacking on both fronts – leading to exorbitant fees and substandard returns …
And of course there’s the ongoing guessing game regarding S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s choice to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jim DeMint.
Got a tip for us? Or a comment? Or a question? Submit it anonymously over on our tip line or our contact page … and remember, in addition to your tips we also publish letters to the editor and guest editorials (even anonymous ones) if you’ve got more to say on a subject.
Also feel free to reach out to our founding editor directly at w@fitsnews.com … or via Twitter orFacebook.
To the wire!
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U.S. SENATE APPOINTMENT: JENNY SANFORD?
So now Jenny Sanford is the favorite? God help us!
FITS: We don’t get it either. Her poll numbers are good, but really? Course if you follow the money …
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U.S. SENATE APPOINTMENT: “SHORT” JOKES
(Mick) Mulvaney doesn’t make the short list, for the first time.
Via Twitter (@foghorn_raybone)
FITS: Ha! We get it …
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U.S. SENATE APPOINTMENT: GOING THRU MOTIONS?
You might want to look into the rumor that Nikki Haley’s “short list” is all for show. If my sources are correct Michael Haley, Tim Pearson and Jon Lerner knew who they were appointing the day DeMint made his announcement.
FITS: Wouldn’t surprise us … Nikki needed to drag this thing out a bit to take heat off of her Revenue Department scandal. Makes sense.
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#SCHACKED: A HALEY CONNECTION?
The former S.C. Department of Revenue (SCDOR) internal audit administrator is Michael Haley’s boss in the S.C. National Guard. She is his commanding officer and she is now over the Office of Executive Policy and Programs (OEPP) in the Governor’s office. Also, the current internal audit administrator was brought in to the department as an unknown with no known internal audit experience. It is rumored she is related to Michael Haley. The recent security breach was a complete meltdown of the Information Technology Department and a result of incompetence in the internal audit department.
FITS: We’ve heard this from a few sources now … and we’re digging on it as we speak. Obviously anything linking the breach to William … err, Michael Haley would be very bad news for the governor.
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HALEY/ SHEHEEN POLL
What a bogus poll from a Democratic firm! Nikki Haley is going to crush Vince Sheheen like a bug in 2014. He has spent the last two years running for office while Nikki and her team have been busy governing. Jobs are pouring into the state and Nikki will reap the rewards!
FITS: Public Policy Polling is indeed a Democratic firm but their results were similar to those found in a Winthrop poll released last week. We don’t disagree with your assessment that Haley still has plenty of time to turn things around, but if the election were held today she would lose.
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ETHICS REFORM
Good take on the ethics reform push. New laws are fine but we must enforce the laws we have first!
FITS: Actually that’s Curtis Loftis’ point, but thanks!
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S.C. LEGISLATIVE PAY HIKE
Why hasn’t Fits News covered (S.C. Rep) John King’s bill to raise legislator salaries to $50,000 a year? I would think this would interest you as a so called fiscal conservative web site.
FITS: Didn’t Rep. King just file the bill yesterday? Sheesh … give us a minute!
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LEXINGTON RING
FITSNEWS should investigate questionable property transactions involving (Lexington, S.C. councilman) Danny Frazier’s home. You will uncover a huge property sales scandal involving dozens of Lexington leaders including Senator Nikki Setzler.
FITS: Wow … we will dig into that. We’re tight with several property lawyers who would love to look over any documents you can provide us.
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SCDSS “BULLY”
Isabel Blanco’s history with the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. See links below. Once a bully, always a bully …
http://archive.thecitizen.com/
http://archive.thecitizen.com/
http://archive.thecitizen.com/
FITS: So you’re saying these links have something to do with Blanco’s recent suspension?
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JOHN BOEHNER: CAVING DOESNT PAY
A new Washington Post/ ABC News poll shows 54 percent disapprove of John Boehner’s fiscal cliff negotiating. Only 24 percent approve.
FITS: Boehner is no more a “Republican” than Barack Obama is, and he deserves to be roasted.
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“BLEEDING THE RICH”
Look forward to your take on the pending estate tax increase. Please call this out!
FITS: We’ve consistently called for the elimination of the estate tax. Probably time to do so again!
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS OR MERRY CHRISTMAS?
I’m curious do you say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays?” Do you think either is offensive to non-Christians or to Christians?
FITS: We say “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays.” We also think it’s ridiculous to be offended by seasonal greetings.
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S.C. TWITTERERS
Who is the best South Carolina political “Tweeter?”
FITS: You mean aside from us? Kidding … one of our favorites is S.C. Rep. Garry Smith (@GarryRSmith). Not only is he up to speed on breaking state news but he sprinkles lots of relevant national content into his Twitter feed.
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CNN SCOOP
You made some “Oh no, Peter” reference to CNN reporter Peter Hamby in one of your tweets yesterday. What was that all about?
FITS: Let’s just say if Peter had to disclose all of his politically related romantic entanglements, his stories would eclipse the 300-word mark more frequently. Players gotta play, though … we’re not hatin’ …
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to super sexy (and newly single) Greenville, S.C. fashion designer/ socialite/ shoe maven Shay Hewitt. Lookin’ damn good, babe …
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20 comments
Any news on Brett Parker?
Any news on the 2 ho’s he was banging?
Is that the same Hewitt that was in that catfight with Krista Cogdill a couple of years ago?
BTW – That pig in a sheet isn’t hot.
Geeeezze, Isn’t that a little harsh?
Looks like the fat girl pulled down the draperies.
Seriously, she’s beautiful! I don’t know if she’s nice, but I don’t think you peope should be so cruel. Would love to see how “hot” you guys are. Fucking oafs!
FITS get better taste there has to be more beauts in the state than her.
Hey anonymous, I wouldn’t arm wrestle her for the check.
Why is it that women with ham arms prefer the strapless look?
Why is Nikki G Setzler the registered agent for so many companies, according to SC Sec.of State? Like Manners and Modeling and a bunch more. Wonder if they’re shell companies?
I hope Trikki picks Jenny.
It will prove to the national party and the rest of the country that she is an idiot.
It might make the SCGOP voters happy, but they proved long ago that they were moronic.
Alrighty then…..
Read more: America’s Most Corrupt States – 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2012/03/22/americas-most-corrupt-states/#ixzz2ErqMpn91
6. South Carolina
Overall grade: F (57%)
Public access to information: F
Legislative accountability: F
Political financing: D-
Ethics enforcement agencies: F
South Carolina received nine failing grades in areas including executive, judicial and legislative accountability. State Integrity Investigation notes that the budget of South Carolina’s State Ethics Commission has been cut a total of six times in the past three years. In September 2010, all regulations on limiting contributions to political parties were eliminated. Additionally, many contributors to individual candidates abuse loopholes to avoid limitations on donations. There is also an antagonistic relationship between office-holding politicians and the press. Specifically, the report says, Governor Nikki Haley’s administration has used a policy of deleting important emails.
Can you get a shirtless pic of Kirkman?
Where did you get that dress, it’s awful, and those shoes and that coat, jeeeeez!
fag
Darryl Jackson called and wants to know if enough time has passed for him to give Lillian McBride a raise. I said, yeah, what the hell.
Seriously, who was Brett Parker Banging????????????
Sexy is a state of mind but this woman appears to comfortable in her shoes – and stunning nonetheless.
I witnessed first hand and it was no catfight looks like Cogdill got clobbered and put in her place . A spade got called a spade!
I know this lady first hand and she’s got the hottest legs ever , and she is by no means fat. That is red fabric she has around her, Since she is a designer and sounds like some of you are fashion and political idiots.
If her ex-husband is an idiot I am not .