SC

SC Needs To Get Rid Of State Planes

News that a Republican state lawmaker flew a “conservative” radio host to and from Columbia, S.C. from Washington, D.C. to testify on a piece of legislation is the latest in a long line of abuses of the state’s taxpayer-subsidized aircraft. Sure it’s not the worst example … but it’s totally…

News that a Republican state lawmaker flew a “conservative” radio host to and from Columbia, S.C. from Washington, D.C. to testify on a piece of legislation is the latest in a long line of abuses of the state’s taxpayer-subsidized aircraft.

Sure it’s not the worst example … but it’s totally improper.

Of course using taxpayer resources for overtly political purposes is nothing new in “Republican-controlled” South Carolina. Previously, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley was forced to reimburse taxpayers $10,000 for ethics violations associated with state airplanes – and before that former Gov. Mark Sanford committed a host of violations related to its improper usage.

Then there’s the improper use of the plane for football recruiting … and ferrying lobbyists.

Sadly, very few of these uses can be described as advancing core functions of government. In fact if you presume (as we do) that government shouldn’t engage in crony capitalist, tax-shifting “economic development” efforts – then virtually none of these flights are appropriate.

That’s why we believe South Carolina should get rid of its state planes – Palmetto 1 (a Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350) and Palmetto 2 (a Hawker Beechcraft King Air C90). We also believe funding should be eliminated for the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission – the entity which operates these planes.

Further, we propose eliminating the practice of campaign donors or other special interests subsidizing flights for public officials. Reporting these flights isn’t enough … they should be eliminated.

Finally, in the event there is a legitimate reason for a government official to make a flight – those expenses (and the stated reason for them) ought to be itemized and included in an online checkbook, a publicly accessible (and searchable) record of all government expenses.

We’ve been pushing for the creation of such a checkbook for years … but the transparency fad came and went in South Carolina without the adoption of this critical open government reform.

When children misbehave, we take away their toys. We also insist on changes in their behavior – or else. Frankly it’s past time we started applying these disciplinary techniques to the children running our state government.

What do you think? Vote in our poll and post your thoughts in our comments section below …

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38 comments

You know me March 21, 2013 at 12:09 pm

Will, when did you realize she was afflicted?

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You know me March 21, 2013 at 12:09 pm

Will, when did you realize she was afflicted?

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pilot man March 21, 2013 at 12:12 pm

Maybe she could just use her broomstick. That would be much more cost effective.

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pilot man March 21, 2013 at 12:12 pm

Maybe she could just use her broomstick. That would be much more cost effective.

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BigT March 21, 2013 at 12:22 pm

Maybe we need to get rid of Corrupt and irresponsible politicians like Sanford. PLEASE remember that April 2 if you vote in the Low Country…

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BigT March 21, 2013 at 12:22 pm

Maybe we need to get rid of Corrupt and irresponsible politicians like Sanford. PLEASE remember that April 2 if you vote in the Low Country…

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jimlewisowb March 21, 2013 at 12:29 pm

Based on some of the pictures of the Gypsy Queen Governor and Horry County Mafia Queen Crawford I would think that the State needs to buy bigger planes

Maybe the military has some surplus cargo planes available.

You know the kind with a ramp in the rear that can load a tank, an elephant or a fat ass cockroach politician

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You know me March 21, 2013 at 12:47 pm

In the latest pics, she is still wearing those damn boots. God help us all if anything happens to them. Anyway, the weight gain appears to be continuing…at some point, you just have to put down the fork.

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Sam March 21, 2013 at 12:48 pm

She thinks they make her look sexy. Not.

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shifty henry March 21, 2013 at 7:43 pm

Agree, with you, and just this once I’m not going to leav a flip remark (even though I’m curious about something).

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You know me March 22, 2013 at 3:39 pm

Shifty, if you are who I think you are, contact me about your curiosity.

shifty henry March 22, 2013 at 5:02 pm

My flip remark was withheld because I thought it might get some of you folks too aroused. What I am curious to know is— she may be wearing leather panties to match her boots, and leather has a tendency to shrink when wet and then starts to dry (so I’ve been told).

jimlewisowb March 21, 2013 at 12:29 pm

Based on some of the pictures of the Gypsy Queen Governor and Horry County Mafia Queen Crawford I would think that the State needs to buy bigger planes

Maybe the military has some surplus cargo planes available.

You know the kind with a ramp in the rear that can load a tank, an elephant or a fat ass cockroach politician

Reply
You know me March 21, 2013 at 12:47 pm

In the latest pics, she is still wearing those damn boots. God help us all if anything happens to them. Anyway, the weight gain appears to be continuing…at some point, you just have to put down the fork.

Reply
Sam March 21, 2013 at 12:48 pm

She thinks they make her look sexy. Not.

Reply
shifty henry March 21, 2013 at 7:43 pm

Agree, with you, and just this once I’m not going to leav a flip remark (even though I’m curious about something).

Reply
You know me March 22, 2013 at 3:39 pm

Shifty, if you are who I think you are, contact me about your curiosity.

shifty henry March 22, 2013 at 5:02 pm

My flip remark was withheld because I thought it might get some of you folks too aroused. What I am curious to know is— she may be wearing leather panties to match her boots, and leather has a tendency to shrink when wet and then starts to dry (so I’ve been told).

BigT March 21, 2013 at 12:49 pm

We’re BEGGING for your Comment on the: Ann Coulter column on GOP Losers and Mark Sanford.

She (like me) is asking WHY give this Conservative (Tim Scott) seat to a HORRIBLE, Also-Ran Career Politician, who has Disgraced himself and his state and his family????…He is a liability to the GOP when we need to move Forward, not backward…

C’mon FITS: Don’t be a COWARD to protect Sanford…

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bogart March 21, 2013 at 4:17 pm

Ann was wrong when she said that Sanford was SC’s Todd Akin……..Sanford is much worse than Akin.

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BigT March 21, 2013 at 12:49 pm

We’re BEGGING for your Comment on the: Ann Coulter column on GOP Losers and Mark Sanford.

She (like me) is asking WHY give this Conservative (Tim Scott) seat to a HORRIBLE, Also-Ran Career Politician, who has Disgraced himself and his state and his family????…He is a liability to the GOP when we need to move Forward, not backward…

C’mon FITS: Don’t be a COWARD to protect Sanford…

Reply
bogart March 21, 2013 at 4:17 pm

Ann was wrong when she said that Sanford was SC’s Todd Akin……..Sanford is much worse than Akin.

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Walking Around March 21, 2013 at 12:57 pm

The state needs a the plane and it should be used for official business. As an airplane owner, getting around this state by plane is simple and economical. It allows you to get to many more events and meetings than a car, and is economical at that. Time value of money. However, there needs to be restrictions on who can use the plane and for what reasons.

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colascguy March 22, 2013 at 8:55 am

Its not like it is flown daily. Could we just not set up a flight program with eagle or some other vendor to fly officials on an as needed bases. This would also provide more public knowledge and oversight of the trips dont you think?

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Walking Around March 21, 2013 at 12:57 pm

The state needs a the plane and it should be used for official business. As an airplane owner, getting around this state by plane is simple and economical. It allows you to get to many more events and meetings than a car, and is economical at that. Time value of money. However, there needs to be restrictions on who can use the plane and for what reasons.

Reply
colascguy March 22, 2013 at 8:55 am

Its not like it is flown daily. Could we just not set up a flight program with eagle or some other vendor to fly officials on an as needed bases. This would also provide more public knowledge and oversight of the trips dont you think?

Reply
Curious George March 21, 2013 at 1:09 pm

If Pope Francis insists on takes public transportation (the bus, economy class airplane tickets) that “commoners” use, why can’t our governors do the same?

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Curious George March 21, 2013 at 1:09 pm

If Pope Francis insists on takes public transportation (the bus, economy class airplane tickets) that “commoners” use, why can’t our governors do the same?

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southmauldin March 21, 2013 at 1:10 pm

My favorite is the constitutional attorney from Kentucky who was given $7500 to speak to reimburse him for “expenses”. Did he take a fucking limo from Kentucky and eat at Ruth’s Chris for every meal???? As owb would say, fucking cockroaches.

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Dirk Diggler March 21, 2013 at 1:59 pm

Now if we could only get Tony Montana to come in and take care of our fucking cockroach problem…both in SC and DC…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsSwDEayzRM

…Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah….Zip-A-Dee-Ay…That would MAKE my Day!!!!

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tomstickler March 22, 2013 at 11:06 pm

Must have billed at his hourly rate for the 7 hours each way plus the 15 minutes he spent testifying.

Knew him when he was a failed candidate for the Kentucky General Assembly back in 1975 and 1977.

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southmauldin March 21, 2013 at 1:10 pm

My favorite is the constitutional attorney from Kentucky who was given $7500 to speak to reimburse him for “expenses”. Did he take a fucking limo from Kentucky and eat at Ruth’s Chris for every meal???? As owb would say, fucking cockroaches.

Reply
Dirk Diggler March 21, 2013 at 1:59 pm

Now if we could only get Tony Montana to come in and take care of our fucking cockroach problem…both in SC and DC…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsSwDEayzRM

…Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah….Zip-A-Dee-Ay…That would MAKE my Day!!!!

Reply
tomstickler March 22, 2013 at 11:06 pm

Must have billed at his hourly rate for the 7 hours each way plus the 15 minutes he spent testifying.

Knew him when he was a failed candidate for the Kentucky General Assembly back in 1975 and 1977.

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Long March 21, 2013 at 2:14 pm

We should sell 1, drastically limit the use of the second, maybe even rent its usage to make a little $, and combine the SCAC into another agency.

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Long March 21, 2013 at 2:14 pm

We should sell 1, drastically limit the use of the second, maybe even rent its usage to make a little $, and combine the SCAC into another agency.

Reply
DogVomit March 21, 2013 at 3:49 pm

Enough is enough! I have had it with these motherfuckin’ snakes on this motherfuckin’ plane!

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DogVomit March 21, 2013 at 3:49 pm

Enough is enough! I have had it with these motherfuckin’ snakes on this motherfuckin’ plane!

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