Nikki Haley battles critics on ports
COLUMBIA -- Gov. Nikki Haley used her bully pulpit Monday to send a message to her critics: She did not sell South Carolina down the river.
Fundfaiser donors
Haley's campaign aide Marisa Crawford released a list of 11 donors from the event. They are: Microsoft, Mark Burkhalter Realty, Fred Cooper of Cooper Capital, United Healthcare, Sunovion, Allergan and Robert Sheft of a flooring company. The rest of the donors are from McKenna Long and Aldridge, the international law firm that hosted the event. The firm’s Political Action Committee donated as well as lawyers Kathlynn Polvino and Stephen Sorett and Alan Moore, a government relations professional.
Ahead of today's Senate committee hearing on the matter, the first-term Republican defended herself against allegations that she improperly influenced a decision by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control board that will allow dredging at the Savannah port. The concern is that the permit will give the Savannah port a competitive edge over Charleston's port and possibly destroy hundreds of acres of freshwater marshland and harm aquatic life.
The invite
Haley said the future vitality of South Carolina ports both in Charleston and Jasper County is forefront in her mind.
Related document
Final Agency Decision from DHEC on Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, (12-page PDF)
"You don't undercut people in order to beat them; you beat them by winning," Haley said.
At a glance
The issue: The board for the state Department of Health and Environmental Control approved a controversial water permit for Georgia on Nov. 10 that allows dredging at the Savannah port, after the agency's staff had denied the permit. Critics accuse Gov. Nikki Haley of influencing the decision by the board, which she appoints. Haley vehemently denies that.
What's next: The Senate Medical Affairs Committee will meet at 10 a.m. today in Room 308 of the Gressette Building on Statehouse grounds to examine the situation.
She added, "I know we are going to have the strongest ports in the country and we're getting ready for that, and the companies that we are recruiting are proof of that."
Haley declined a request to testify at this morning's Senate hearing, citing a concern that it infringes on the constitutional separation of powers between the governor and the Legislature.
The governor brushed off bipartisan criticism, especially that an Oct. 28 fundraiser in Atlanta that raised $15,000 for Haley's possible re- election in 2014 shifted her priorities in favor of Georgia. The fundraiser was held just days before the Nov. 10 decision by the state's environmental panel to give Georgia the water-quality permit.
Haley called the criticism political rhetoric and voluntarily released ahead of the Jan. 10 deadline the names of the 11 donors who gave her cash. The donors are several employees at the McKenna Long and Aldridge law firm, which hosted the fundraiser, and several health care companies and Georgia businesses.
"No one related to the ports gave," Haley said.
Haley's critics also took aim at that claim, pointing toward the law firm's ports, harbors and shipping team as well as individual employees who have past and current affiliations with the Savannah port and Georgia commerce groups.
The governor declined to provide the names of who was invited to the fundraiser, saying it was unfair to the donors and an unnecessary hassle for her campaign aide.
DHEC board chairman Allen Amsler on Tuesday issued a statement on behalf of the board to reaffirm its decision to grant the permit.
“There was absolutely no influence brought to bear upon any Board member in this case, especially in the form of financial payments,” Amsler said in a statement. “That suggestion is offensive to a group of people working very hard to protect South Carolina’s resources.”
Amsler said the board did not overturn a staff decision -- but agreed to hear an appeal.
“There’s quite a bit of confusion about previous action or stances the Board took on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project,” Amsler said in a statement. “... Before the board heard the case, the parties resolved the differences that were outlined in documentation from DHEC staff to the Georgia Ports Authority and the Army’s Corps of Engineers in September. After hearing about the resolution, and determining that the agency’s concerns had been addressed, we agreed to affirm the resolution.”
Rep. Jim Merrill, R-Charleston, said the governor and the environmental board, which she appoints, need to step back and evaluate the situation.
"This does not have to be a South Carolina versus South Carolina fight," Merrill said. "Right now, Georgia is sitting back with their feet up, smoking a long cigar and enjoying the infighting, all to the detriment of South Carolina."
Merrill said the Health and Environmental Control Department should invite all interests back to the table to explain their concerns. Revoking the permit is within the agency's control, he said. Staff had denied the permit before the board voted unanimously to grant it.
"What I have seen is lines being drawn in the sand and that only works against the state and that is not what we need to be doing right now," Merrill said. "If I were the governor, I would step back and I would say, 'Let's reconvene our board. Let's take some different testimony.' "
Charleston-area lawmakers will meet at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 8 in Alhambra Hall in Mount Pleasant to discuss port oversight.
The courts also are expected to hear the arguments. Environmentalists have pledged to challenge the permit.
Dana Beach, director of the Coastal Conservation League, said the board's decision is indefensible.
"This is not about economics or politics," he said. "The relevant question is whether the deepening threatens the health of the Savannah River."
Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-926-7855, follow her at twitter.com/yvonnewenger and read her Political Briefings blog at postandcourier.com/blogs.
