THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

Mechanism needed to absorb jolts of the legislative spending cycle

State Sen. Harvey Peeler is correct when he points out that the state needs a shock absorber to even out the jolts from poor spending decisions.

The senator’s metaphor describes the situation well. A shock absorber takes up some of the impact of holes in the road, evening out the ride of a car by limiting the up and down movement of the suspension.

South Carolina has been made car sick by the ups and downs of state spending and budget cuts. The cycle of legislative spending is clear. When the economy is growing, the General Assembly spends all the money it can, every dime that is forecast to come into the state’s coffers. Lawmakers give no thought to the inevitable economic downturn. For instance, last year, lawmakers spent more than $1 billion in revenue growth. (more…)

An otherwise convivial forum for area candidates hosted by the Aiken Branch NAACP drew a few fireworks when S.C. Senate District 25 Republican incumbent Shane Massey sounded off on a dispute stemming from last week.

His opponent, Democrat Greg Anderson, takes the position that Massey voted against an legislative amendment in May that would have allowed local governments the option of allowing The Lord’s Prayer, along with other historical documents, to be displayed in government settings.

Massey said he did support the final version of the measure, which included The Lord’s Prayer. His original vote on the amendment was a procedural situation at the time, he said. At that time, some senators were adamantly opposed to the bill, said Massey, and were introducing a variety of amendments with the intent of killing the legislation. (more…)

To advance his image as a budget-cutter, Gov. Mark Sanford recently called on the members of the S.C. General Assembly to forgo their per-day expense and their mileage reimbursement for the extended session now underway to deal with budget issues. This is to reimburse legislators for the costs of hotels, gas, and meals while they are in Columbia on official business.

I realize it’s easy to take shots at legislators, but I declined to join the governor in putting that kind of pressure on a group of public servants, many of whom are not wealthy. I pointed out that legislators make $10,400 a year in salary for their services and $1,000 a month for in-district expenses and, unlike the governor, do not live in a taxpayer-funded mansion with chauffeurs to drive them to work every day.

First Lady Jenny Sanford then wrote a letter to the editor (Oct. 18) accusing me of taking a “cheap shot” at her husband. She went on at great length with a long list of unfair and inaccurate allegations about me and others. It always amazes me that the Sanfords are so quick to criticize and attack the General Assembly and yet so easily wounded by even the mildest response. (more…)

It’s a movie that House Speaker Doug Smith has seen before - a comedy turned drama with a tragic ending that leaves everyone frustrated.

Giddy with the smell of cash in good times, South Carolina lawmakers send money to every corner of the state. Then come the bad times, and legislators must take back large chunks of the bounty.

With the bad times comes a familiar song and dance, a tune that ends with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle singing never again. And that’s where the story ends.

Fade to black, roll the credits and start the show over again. (more…)