Old song, new verse: Sanford, lawmakers in budget fightBy Yvonne Wenger (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, September 5, 2008
COLUMBIA — For six years, Gov. Mark Sanford has criticized the General Assembly's spending practices. And for those same six years, the Legislature has listened politely, waited for him to stop talking, and then did whatever it wanted to do. Whether this time is different is anyone's guess. Sanford wants the Legislature to return to the Statehouse to cut $188 million from individual agency budgets to make up for an economic slump that will leave the state short on cash. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell and House Speaker Bobby Harrell agree that targeted cuts are better than the alternative, across-the-board 3 percent cuts for everyone. State law, though, doesn't allow them to call the Legislature back right now, they argued. So, the fight's played out in a flurry of letters over recent days. Sanford said he was perplexed. McConnell and Harrell said they were profoundly disappointed. Sanford traveled to Florence, Charleston and Greenville to lambaste the Legislature over growing government. McConnell said it was time for the publicity stunts to end. Previous storyAgencies told to cut 3% more; State Education Department takes biggest hit, 08/13/08 And these are just the Republicans. "This is sort of like a family fight. You don't know whether you should get involved," said University of South Carolina political scientist Blease Graham. It's been a rocky road for Sanford and the Legislature these last six years. There was the time "Pork" and "Barrel," a pair of squealing piglets, made an appearance with Sanford at the Statehouse as part of his spending protest. Or the year he vetoed the entire budget and told the Legislature to start from scratch. The lawmakers overrode the veto and went home. Graham said he can see the similarity between Sanford and John McCain's vice presidential pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in the way that divisiveness within their own party could make them look like a "crusader" or "reformer." But, Graham said, here the modus operandi, the weak-governor, strong-Legislature structure, took root back in Colonial days and a true comparison should go the way of the three-cornered hat. Many lawmakers argue that they often agree with Sanford, but calling them cowards or comparing the state to a banana republic, as he has in the last session, is not the way to go about things. "I am disappointed in your constant attacks against those who support you most of the time while you remain mostly silent against those who seldom or never vote with you," McConnell wrote to Sanford on Wednesday. "A great question was posed to me about when was the last time the Republican governor of South Carolina attacked the Democrats in this state. "Unfortunately, I could not think of one." It's not clear what will come next in the fight over how to handle the budget cuts. Sanford said he's mulling over his options, including forcing the Legislature to come back before the end of the year. He'd want the legislators to make short work of the cuts and return on their own dime. From where Graham sits, though, he is not sure what legal grounds are available to call them back. And like McConnell and Harrell, he believes that if the lawmakers do return, there will be a lengthy fight to make the cuts; and a legislative stay in Columbia is expensive, especially at a time when the state needs the money the most. "For every reason to, there's a reason not to," he said. "It really is a classic loggerheads." Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 19 comment(s)
Posted by CharlestonJim on September 5, 2008 at 1:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish Sanford the best of luck.
It is too bad he can't run again, but I agree with term limits.
Who can we replace him with in 2010?
I will not vote for Bauer, so lets assume he is out of the picture. He would likely not win the primary anyway.
Thoughts?
Posted by WhoCares on September 5, 2008 at 5:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Will Thomas Ravenel be out (of prison) by then? We could be like DC and vote a coke addict into the job.
Posted by moonpie on September 5, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Riley has run and lost. He will not run for govenor. How about Tim Scott? He seems to be positioning.
Posted by tc1 on September 5, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"How about Tim Scott?"
I'm impressed. But until we change state constitution and make the govenor a real executive with real equal power to the legislature it is not that big a deal.
Posted by karmann on September 5, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I want to thank the state legislatores for constantly putting road blocks in place that slow down the process. It has been shown that when the bill is a pet project, it goes through with no problem. Good ole boys.
Posted by zoomru on September 5, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yvonne Wenger.... Yesterday you stunk and today (friday of all days!) you almost seem to CARE !!!
You still miss your ...MISSION !! (FIST POUNDS!)
YOU WASTE THIS GOLDEN..OPPORTUNITY !!!
You get information about a "LETTER" from McConnell to SANFORD and you don't follow up with quotes and phone calls to EVERYONE you could get a HOLD of??? WHAT good are you ..YVONNE ??? WHAT???
Charles Rowe and Yvonne ..this is election season and we want to know what views ALL...yes ALL! of our local elected officials views are on this FIASCO we have going on in Columbia!!
Elected....SO CALLED LEADERS!! DO you realize what this article makes you out to be!!! DO YOU !!
THIS IS INFORMATION ..WARFARE !! What side are YOU on??
Well....YVONNE ! I'll do your WORK and journalistic "ASSAULT" for you! YOU ARE HEREBY...DEMOTED !!!!
Posted by JF on September 5, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If Andre Bauer runs and wins he will get along much better with the legislature than Sanford. I hear Bauer is expected to run for Gov.
Posted by zoomru on September 5, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ALL DEMOCRATS .....no wonder your SAD SACKS !!
Yes..YOU !! James "GRAND MASTER FLASH" CLYBURN...
Yes ..YOU!! Senatoro Roberto Ford-asa!!!...
Yes ..YOU!! Wendell Gilliard-omo!!....
Yes YOU!! THE cowardly REST !!!...
You mean to tell me that you don't have one person in this newsroom to give you a heads up about this article?? You mean for US all to believe that YOU all didn't have any comments to add to this glorious article by YVONNE?? You mean to tell US all here that we are that stupid to fall for this!!!!!
MY .. SMELLY .. BACKSIDE !!!
SC Senator Robert FORD...what good are you ? I highly suggest you get yourself back up to Columbia and get some PRESS time with the Governor... Yourself !!! Are you concerned at ALL about the financial state we are IN?? You better start acting like it !!
Senator FORD ...you DO realize by NOT getting your 2 cents worth in on this article makes you LOOK like ..WHAT !!!!
Have you ever looked Charles Rowe in the EYE ?!!? DO you know what perfume Yvonne ...Wears???
Senator FORD...DO YOU WRITE LETTERS ??? DO YOU EMAIL ???
WE WANT TO KNOW !!!!!!
Posted by STREETLAW on September 5, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wish Sandford had fought the real problem for six years. Namely, corruption and political patronage.
These affect not only the cost of government but the quality of services as well.
South Carolina must rate near the bottom of the barrel in these attributes and its a pitty there is not a published index to reflect it.
Posted by zoomru on September 5, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Governor SANFORD....I may not agree 100 % !! BUT WHO DOES??
SIR...continue to give these "pork weenies" your VOICE of Clarity !!!
DO NOT LOSE FOCUS!!....its the ENERGY! MARK ..
I highly suggest you double your "Open Door" time and by ALL MEANS spend this time listening and talking to our fine citizens in the EMPTY HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS !!! Make it blatantly obvious that you are the ONLY one looking out for the SC taxpayer !!!
How big are those piglets "PORK" and "BARREL"....NOW??! We want to see a front page picture on EVERY paper in this fine state of OURS !!!! Get a SHARPIE marker and write Harrell and McConnell's name on the BUTT of each ...SOW !!!
WE WANT PICTURES !!!
I personally would let them both loose in the chambers until the Legislators came BACK !!!
MARK....get louder !!!
Joel Sawyer...no smiling and do ...WHAT ???
Posted by zoomru on September 5, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, Well, ..WELL !! (Fist POUNDS!!)
GLENN McCONNELL........... !!!
You break my ..HEART !!! (visible ..TEAR !)
".. "A great question was posed to me about when was the last time the Republican governor of South Carolina attacked the Democrats in this state. Unfortunately, I could not think of one."..."
(gagging, Coughing,..and vomiting!)
YOU SIR..are a piece of "WORK"!! WHAT FRONT LINES ARE YOU ON ??? What war are YOU fighting?? Yes..Mark has not "creamed" Democrats like he should; but you and Bobby are the ones holding the state Checkbook! How stupid are YOU!!!! When you wrote this "LETTER"; did you not STOP to think that it would have a far better impact if you personally handed it to the Governor in front of Cameras with a DEMOCRAT by your side ??!! GOOD...GOD !!!
DO YOU CARE ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA ...AT ..ALL ????
DO YOU HAVE A PUP TENT ?? If you don't...GET ONE!! Those fine men and women in the CIVIL WAR camped in tents under far worse circumstances!! You RAVENEL'er !!!!
Are you the LEADER of the SENATE? Start ACTING LIKE IT !!!
(FIST POUNDS, POUNDS, POUNDS!!!)
Posted by zoomru on September 5, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Coldbeer...our state leaders are in a "black hole" in some far distant NEBULA !!! This is NUTz !!! At least Mark is out talking to people? Where has McConnell and Harrell and FORD and CAMPSEN, and everyone else been all summer??
Hopefully they realize that its the ENERGY !!
But from the sound of it ...they have been enjoying KROUT with BARFIELD and the GERMANS on our dime!!!!
Well...duck and cover ! The Blitz-Krieg is ON!!!!
Posted by nikkiP on September 5, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if zoomru talks like that in person.
I think I like Sanford, and I wish we could just vote out all of our state legislatures. I think that'll be my mindset next time we vote on this. And if Graham makes it back in, that'll be just too sad.
And just because Bauer will get along with the legislature does not mean it will be better. It feels like they are just going after their own personal interests. I mean, the governor asks for a budget cut because we don't have the money and instead of meeting they refuse.
Posted by zoomru on September 5, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ANDRE' BAUER..... (FIST POUNDS!)
You want to be Governor and your not going after this "PORKING" run amuk??
Your not standing up for the South Carolina TAXPAYER???
UH..oh ?!!
I highly suggest you put on another fresh set of DEPENDS!!
This silence does NOT look SMART !!!
Posted by zoomru on September 5, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bobby Harrell.....
What LETTERS have you written??? To Whom??
Stop writing checks to Barfield for German tourists!! You "Pork Master"!!!! You expect us to believe you don't know anyone in the newsroom at this paper???
MY BACKSIDE !!
Stop calling ROLL at the Convention and start calling ROLL in your OWN House Chambers!! My ..GOD !! (Fist Pounds!)
What GALL you and Katon Dawson have when you both get preferential access to the handicapped elevator at the Carolina Football GAMES!! Can you not walk down the rotunda or steps like everyone else??? I hope ANDRE' appreciates this action!!
When are you going to stand up for the SC ..taxpayer?? WHEN? We Want to KNOW!!!
Posted by STREETLAW on September 5, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go zoomru, go! (Fist thrust up toward sky in salute.)
Posted by zoomru on September 5, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Streetlaw......
Bravo on your Fist..."Thrust" !!
That reminds me of the movie Gladiator !!! Accept the "MASTER" was talking about thrusting a sword into another ..MAN !!!
What GALL these LEADERS of ours ....display !!
WE .. ARE .. going to ...TAKE BACK..OUR STATE !!!!
CHARGE !!!!!!!
Posted by justmyview on September 5, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought the republican party was all about fiscal responsibility and more skilled in governing than democrats. What is going on here?
Posted by Peacock on September 5, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Legislature gets bristled-up about having to tighten their purse strings. And they don't like it. It is as simple as that.
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