Sanford loses stimulus fight
Supreme Court ruling says he must accept $700M
Sanford
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Breakdown of the federal money, state budget spending changes and the net effect of the stimulus money and budget on agencies.
Read the state Supreme Court ruling
Read Gov. Sanford's statement on the ruling
Statement from SC Education Superintendent Jim Rex
Statement from the South Carolina Association of School Administrators
Statement from Representative and gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley
Statement from State Senate Democratic Leader John C. Land, III, D-Manning
Statement from State Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler
Statement from Senator Hugh K. Leatherman
Statement from House Speaker Bobby Harrell
Statement by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham
Statement from Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell
Statement from U.S. Congressman Gresham Barrett, Republican gubernatorial candidate
Statement from Dorchester District 2 Superintendent Joe Pye
Statement from Charleston County School District Superintendent Nancy McGinley
COLUMBIA — More teachers will have jobs and children will have better access to early childhood classes, after-school programs and effective literacy interventions after the state Supreme Court said Thursday that Gov. Mark Sanford must accept federal stimulus funds.
Sanford lost a months-long battle when the high court forced him to draw down $700 million in stimulus money, most of which will go toward South Carolina public schools.
To Sanford, the fight was about democracy and crucial checks and balances in government. But to Lowcountry educators, the protracted battle put the state's most vulnerable in a political fix.
Charleston County schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley said the stimulus funds won't solve the district's budget woes, but the cash does help officials make strategic investments.
"If we believe and invest in this generation of Charleston County students, they will pay us back tenfold," she said. "Let us put our students front and center as we move forward and pass a budget that will zero in on their needs, and those of the teachers who will stand before them."
The recession has left schools struggling after several rounds of budget cuts, and state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said the stimulus cash will provide relief. The $700 million will be split between the next two years, including $184 million that will be divided among the state's 85 district in the coming school year. Colleges and universities will receive $105 million this year, and $57 million is designated for law enforcement programs.
"Class sizes were really going to go up next year as a result of these cuts, and many programs were on the chopping block for big reductions: summer school, after-school programs, adult education, athletics, you name it," Rex said. "Courses were being canceled right and left. Students were going to feel a direct impact, and now schools may be able to avoid some of that."
Sanford said he will apply for the money Monday. The state's $5.7 billion budget goes into effect July 1.
In all, the state will receive $2.8 billion in stimulus funds for government agencies out of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama in February. South Carolina's share could grow to $8 billion when tax breaks and grants are figured in. The $700 million was the only disputed portion.
The court's decision reaffirmed that the state only has one branch of government — the Legislature, Sanford said. He fears the decision will have implications on future governors.
For now, though, officials in Dorchester and Berkeley schools are feeling relief.
Dorchester District 2 Superintendent Joe Pye gave kudos to legislators who fought Sanford in his opposition to the money. Pye said it was critical to receive the money following massive rounds of budget cuts in the last year.
Like elsewhere, Berkeley schools will juggle unpaid leave for workers, staff reductions through attrition and program cuts as they draft the final version of their budget.
"The children of South Carolina have won over the political posturing," Berkeley County schools Finance Director Brantley Thomas said.
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Comments
irish (anonymous) says...
I like Sanford, but I'm glad he lost this one.
June 5, 2009 at 1:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
surfer (anonymous) says...
Not exactly the most objective piece ever, but then when has being objective been a priority of the P&C?
June 5, 2009 at 1:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
earlygrayce (anonymous) says...
This is not surprising. The guy is a douche.
June 5, 2009 at 1:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
Ever notice how often the words Sanford and loser are used together? I guess that is why he is known as Sanfraud.
June 5, 2009 at 2:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Creeker01 (anonymous) says...
... and SC continues its downward slide into a Welfare State as otherwise sensible people forget or ignore the Bill of Rights, as they vote themselves excess...
"If we believe and invest in this generation of Charleston County students, they will pay us back tenfold," she said.
Good, while I am sure this is an intentional exxageration, now they are indebted for far more than that.
DON'T TREAD ON ME!!
June 5, 2009 at 2:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowcountrydawg (anonymous) says...
If were gettin' $700 large for the schools...they should be #1 in the country in the near future...if not, we just screwed ourselves and our kids!!
June 5, 2009 at 2:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottusc03 (anonymous) says...
I always read the P&C online and never have signed up for the comment part even though i wanted to in past. After hearing the ruling, here I am. I finally am able to speak my mind. What an idiot!!!!
PS...don't worry my friends. I'm sure his children are in private school and were fine regardless of the outcome. Come on Mark, think about the rest of us, students & teachers included...
June 5, 2009 at 3:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
Now its going to be interesting to see how much of this (stimulus) money makes its way into bonus packages for (deserving) school officials.
It will also buy time for the legislature to figure out tax and borrowing programs to cover the shortfall next year in a dwindling economy.
On the brighter side perhaps there will be a war in Europe or the Middle East or Asia that the US will stay out of and the economy will improve on its own.
June 5, 2009 at 3:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
satscout (anonymous) says...
It doesn't surprise me one bit. But I remain disappointed in the Legislature for forcing this. They chose to hold our children hostage in order to force Gov. Sanford's hand, and when that didn't work, he appealed to the courts for relief. All they had to do was show a hint of fiscal responsibility, and they refused. What does this say about our state, and why we're at the bottom so much?
June 5, 2009 at 4:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pirate42 (anonymous) says...
Hey as long as his children go to private school, he has lots cash in bank, got his BIG home on Sullivans island Why should he give a poope about the poor or jobless in his home state...
June 5, 2009 at 4:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
I along with so many others here in S.C. is very happy with the court's ruling. S.C. should've NEVER been place in this situation to begin with because of this idiotic CLOWN! Thanks to him, we continue to be the LAUGHING stock in america. He was only doing this to expose himself to the nation as someone voters should take seriously in 2012. Thank God the rest of the U.S. have a higher I.Q. than most in S.C. does. This guy is a FRAUD with a capital F! He has been in office almost eight years and S.C. has gone to Hell in a hand basket with this IDIOT as it's Chief Executive. We rank the SECOND HIGHEST (soon to be FIRST) in Unemployment, we rank 49 out of the 50 states in EDUCATION, he VETOES a bill which would help curb and eventually eliminate the RIP-OFF Check Cashing Institutions, Major job industries has bypass the state just to name a few. He does NOT, repeat does NOT care anyhting about the people in this state! He only cares about HIMSELF! I can't say I totally BLAME him as much as I do the MAJORITY of the voters in this state. They ELECTED and RE-ELECTED him to office, so I say you get just what you VOTED for! I hope the P&C can FINALLY take his MUG DOWN for a season to give the readers on here a BREAK from seeing it everyday. It only serves to make one THROW UP and be nauseated as a result of it. Give it a REST!
June 5, 2009 at 4:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cubudman (anonymous) says...
Gee Stan, maybe you can use some of this stimulus to go back and get your GED. Reading your post made me dumber. As part owner of GM, Chrysler, Fannie Mae and whatever else......I'm off to work to pay myself.
Spiral
spiral
spiral
spiral
spiral...
June 5, 2009 at 5:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowcountrymouth (anonymous) says...
Throwing money at these failing schools is the same as flushing money down the toilet. Giving the incompetent teachers and administrators more money to teach unmotivated and lazy students whose parents don't care to act like parents is just a massive waste of taxpayer money.
June 5, 2009 at 5:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ihms (anonymous) says...
Now that this is done he can spend more time polishing his silver spoons!
June 5, 2009 at 5:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
Maybe it's the the Sanfraud mentality that makes you dumber @cubudman. You're a resident of a state that ranks 49th in education thanks to your fearless leader Sanfraud! Go get paid so you can invest some of it to make you smarter!
June 5, 2009 at 5:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mmoe63 (anonymous) says...
Is it November yet...........
June 5, 2009 at 5:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LCConservative (anonymous) says...
stanish....SC ranked 49th in education long before Sanford became governor, so to blame him does nothing but show where you got your education. The legislature is responsible for the state of affairs in SC.
June 5, 2009 at 5:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
issuetaker (anonymous) says...
They better use this money wisely! I don't want to hear about wish list needs of the schools or less fortunates being sent home with students when school starts this coming year; nor read in The P&C that schools are needing help from private benefactors.
The legislature and that state education bunch better hope test scores and graduation rates soar. Given they are hailing this ruling as their cause celeb, their long standing argument of tying results to money in education has now been negated. The fallacy of that argument, along with its self-serving proponents, are about to be exposed. They just ran out of excuses!
June 5, 2009 at 6:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldandintheway (anonymous) says...
way to go lowcountrymouth !!!
that comment I believe just about sums it all up.
it won't matter either way,
but the worst part is nobody in columbia cares.
they make the decisions for us down here.
we must be too stupid to do it ourselves.
or just lazy, I dunno.
I'm just a unedjamacated lowcountry taxpayer.
June 5, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cappy (anonymous) says...
These politicians remind me of drug addicts. Wave money in front of them and they go nuts. GIVE ME MORE--GIVE ME MORE. Then they have to rob someone to pay for it. Guess who that will be. When we are taxed to the max and can't afford anymore then big brother (Feds) will come in and take over our state.
June 5, 2009 at 7:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fred_durst1 (anonymous) says...
I have seen posted many times before that we are ranked 49th in education but have never been able to find such a stat. Can someone post the link where this database is or statistic is located?
Thank you
June 5, 2009 at 7:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
I have a feeling that this $$ will not do a whole lot to improve SC's ranking. Using dollars to put out a fire has never worked and still will not work. I wouldn't put all of the blame on the teachers and adminstrators--they can only do so much. You need a license to drive a car and to fish and hunt but unfortunately, you don't need one to be a parent.
June 5, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Am I still furloughed 2 days? Can I get my money back now?
NO.....
The schools will not be helped by this money. Schools don't need more money. Schools need enough money to keep a well-qualified staff in place. What schools need most is QUALIFIED PARENTS and better clientele.
This money will not go far and the schools will still need more supplies and more money.
I knew the legislators would do this. I still back Sanford and his decision to turn down the money. Pity others won't open their eyes and see the other politicians for what they are...
June 5, 2009 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PennyGirl (anonymous) says...
Great a few hundred million to waste on schools and teachers who bitch about thir jobs. Well done Supreme Court!
June 5, 2009 at 7:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
10216340 (anonymous) says...
Sanford has it right. We may benefit today but our children (and their children and their children, etc.) will certainly pay the price. What a shame this is.
And Stanish.....cubudman is right. Your post is so bad I couldn't even finish it. Anything worthwhile you had to say didn't make it through.
BTW, I am an educator and can tell you we really don't need this money....what we need are parents who will be responsible for their kids and their kid's behavior. If we get that one simply thing we won't be last or near the bottom in education....PERIOD!
June 5, 2009 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
10216340 (anonymous) says...
Ooops....it should be "If we get that one simple thing....", not simply.
June 5, 2009 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
1021630......BINGO!!!! It takes a qualified team of 3 to educate a child...student, parent, and teacher. Without the parent component - missing link - we, as teachers, have an even higher mountain to climb.
June 5, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chucktonian (anonymous) says...
Too bad Sanford lost. Now we can all be assimilated into the Obamanation. And we can borrow more money from the Chinese to throw down the public school rathole.
The more money that's spent on public school education, the dumber the kids are.
June 5, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sfarris (anonymous) says...
Let us see how much this helps after the money is gone. Buisness as usual is not going to change the world.
June 5, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
locosam (anonymous) says...
I want to know who paid for Sanford's legal representation in all his various legal procedings and just how much $$$ was wasted in his attempt to avoid doing his job.
June 5, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
feb251939 (anonymous) says...
The hatred shown by some on this board towards Governor Sanford is astounding in it's scope but I think it can be explained.
Ever since his name come up as a possible presidential candidate in 2012, the liberal extremist have rushed to any source where they can spew their hate filled rhetoric against him.
These are small minded and bitter people who have a deep resentment against achievers in life who have risen to the level of governance. Of course, that only applies to people, if they happen to be Republican but what do we expect from people who constantly have their grubby little hands out to government.
These mindless little people haven't a clue, nor do they want one, what the acceptance of the "free" money really means. It means, that the state of South Carolina will be giving up it's sovereignty to a central government in Washington. How, when and where this 'free money' is spent will be directed from the central government.
You may as well erase all the boundary lines from all the states that except this money because all power will be coming from the 'central government' and the Office of Governor will no longer exist.
So all you bitter haters out there will soon have to direct all your small minded and ignorant comments to Washington but don't be surprised if you have pay a severe personal price for your ranting.
June 5, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Just think of how much better our State education systems will be next year! When I read the posts from the "never do wells" on this site I understand why the children of this State can't cut it in the learning game. None of the "I wants" or the "Gimme's" have learned a thing about the cost of Government intervention. It's always someone else's fault isn't it? Just pathetic and that's all I'm gonna say about that!
June 5, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
Here come the new programs, again paid for with one time money. School administrators have already said they were going to create new and "innovative" programs with this money. They were going to hire the teachers anyway, that was just their ruse to scare the sheeple into supporting their grab at the "free" money. When this money is gone they'll be crying that the government isn't supporting them, but they already know the programs they create with this money won't have funding in the future and they'll need their sheep to bleat for them again so taxes can be raised then. They have very compliant sheep who bleat on command though, so no biggie.
Grab your wallets folks. In 2 years we're gonna have to come up with another $350 million a year to support the programs, on top of the rest of the education we can't afford that turns out people who don't qualify to run a potatoe frier.
June 5, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
speedygirl2000 (anonymous) says...
This is going to be bad for all of us in the future.
June 5, 2009 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DGS (anonymous) says...
In 2 years time we will end up having to figure out how we want to be taxed to death to just pay for the already large state debt.
Robbing peter to pay paul for 2 years really isnt helping the problem. After all, after the two years I guess the state will just have to rob us (Increase taxes).
June 5, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fred_durst1 (anonymous) says...
Hey still no link to any data on education ranking of states? Never have seen how the SC ranks 49th is always quoted with no data to back it up.
and majorjohnson - Did you go to the dan qualye school of spelling? ....nice potatoE. LOL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_(...)
June 5, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charleston_21 (anonymous) says...
I am so glad that we finally have money to start paying teachers but why is it that schools have been remodeling and laying off teachers instead of keeping the teachers and remodeling later? So many schools have changed and then they want to complain about not having enough teachers because they cannot pay them (yet they do SO much for our community and they feel bad they can't support them any longer) and as they say this in their new building. What the heck!?
June 5, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
Posted by majorjohnson on June 5, 2009 at 8:16 a.m.
Grab your wallets folks. In 2 years we're gonna have to come up with another $350 million a year to support the programs, on top of the rest of the education we can't afford that turns out people who don't qualify to run a potatoe frier.
********************************
You left out the part about us also having to pay back all that "free" money.
June 5, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
speedygirl2000 (anonymous) says...
http://www.alec.org/am/pdf/education/...
Scroll to the bottom of the page SC is ranked 42 out of 50 as of 2007.
June 5, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Let's remodel the failing schools into cell blocks! That's about as effectively as we can use this money and get something useful in return.
June 5, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
G_DOG (anonymous) says...
Maybe the Gov has the best interests of the people at heart? As long as we're satisfied with high unemployment, poor education, lacking infrastructure, and an outright lack of urgency in all matters regarding economic development - he's our man. We don't need any of those frivolous things to be successful growing tobacco and cotton! Why mess with success?
June 5, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fred_durst1 (anonymous) says...
Thanks for the link on education. Not sure how much faith I have in the data. the web site that the data comes from appears to have an agenda. When I have searched in the past I was unable to find any specific government data that ranks states. Government and state sponsered web sites seem to actually make statements more to the effect that there is no data that specifically ranks states due to the complexitity of the data combined with the different techniques used to gather the data, etc. etc.
Anywho thanks for providing the link
June 5, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
Thank goodness the state's high court has the interests and needs of the people of this state in mind. What a waste of time, money, and effort by the "governor". At least he can't run again. Hopefully the next governor will actually care about the state and its people instead of political posturing and idiotic stunts.
June 5, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HardWorker (anonymous) says...
Way to throw money at another sinking ship. SC schools will follow the same path as GM and Chrysler. We should have learned from Ford, who kept their hands out of this mess, and are NOT going bankrupt.
I can't wait for my state taxes to go up. Ridiculous! This won't stimulate anything! Only parents can stimulate their kids to learn.
June 5, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gingerlatte (anonymous) says...
Lets use the money to force sterilize the problem children and their parents! That'll learn 'em... ;)
June 5, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MableX (anonymous) says...
I love the guy who says more money for education means dumber students. So I guess when you're the 50th state in Education, having less will propel you to the Head of the Class? I think that's the same logic that caused the South to get obliterated in the Civil War.
There's nothing like being proud of being dumb.
June 5, 2009 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geturmyndrite (anonymous) says...
Why do we always put out of towners ahead of our stuff in South Carolina!!! Can we not run our own state!!! Look what they do with our money!!!!! What happen 2 him selling the beach house for 4.5 mill where did that money go?????? Remember South Carolina home is where the heart is and his heart in not here!!!
June 5, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Nothing in the schools will change until we get rid of the wording "minimally adequate".
Did any of you know (other than WJ) that those words are in our state constitution?
So, no matter what our educator's hands are tied by those words...minimally adequate! Wow sounds like we want to succeed (sarcasm).
June 5, 2009 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I think you are right fred_durst1. Its a ALEC report (American Legislative Exchange Council). ALEC a conservative organization with a argenda that is conservative. Being mostly conservative myself I want to think our liberal friends for pointing this report out. It must fit into our conservative ideology to depress the standard of living.
June 5, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
Yes, it takes more than just money to fix the problem with public schools in SC, but what many of you fail to realize is it doesn't negate the fact that it still takes money! Ignoring the problem or redirecting the money (i.e. vouchers) will only make the problem worse!
With the advent of a global economy, SC can't afford to not reinvest in public education system of this State from top (College and Universities) to bottom (head start).
To all of you naysayers that say that it is nothing but a waste of money only need to look at our neighboring State, NC. A State that is demographically very similar to us. A State that has made several strides to improve their education levels! This State has some of the best Public Universities in the country and has experienced more job growth in the last decade than anywhere else in the country.
This is a victory of pragmatism over warped principles,and A great victory for the next generation for citizens of our State!
June 5, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Gingerlatte - I certainly hope your last post was a joke!
June 5, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AgentMan (anonymous) says...
***The State moved from a PROPERTY base tax to a SALES tax a couple of years ago, under the PROPERTY TAX RELEIF BILL. Today, the tax base is base on retail sales. The economy being "weak" retail sales are not there. Thus, shortfalls in the budget. We must remember upon all the talk about education; Alot of the money will help law enforcement!!!!!
June 5, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
my sphincter muscle just tightened up thinking of the ramifications.
June 5, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
Yes Icsaint03 an attempt at sarcasm.
June 5, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
Posted by guidedbystewart on June 5, 2009 at 9:24 a.m.
A great victory for the next generation for citizens of our State!
**************************
Yes, and I'm sure they'll be thankful for the crushing debt they will inherit due to our fiscal irresponsibility of accepting the "free" government handout.
June 5, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
littlegamcracke (anonymous) says...
When one attacks Governor Mark Sanford personally, it only shows your low IQ. It's not about the person it's about the agenda.
Free money is never really free. In the end you only get what you pay for.
As your parents would say, "How will you pay for this?"
Oh! Wait! I forgot, it's called buy now pay later. As in, let someone else (future generation) have the responsibility. It's called Fascist/Fascism.
In the end the Governor can say "I TOLD YOU SO."
And, if you want to have your child/children in a private school then get off your butt and do it. Stop expecting others to take care of your whinnying/responsibilityies. It's this kind of thinking that put us in this
predicament.
June 5, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
"What we have become,
just look what we have done.
All that we destroyed,
you must build again."
June 5, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MissLiberty (anonymous) says...
Sanford is right on this issue, but the left prevails once again by pretending "it's for the children". It's for the children all right - debt, not an improvement in education, just debt.
June 5, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonnative1963 (anonymous) says...
lowcountrydawg: You can sit in judgment of our schools if you would like, but if you travel outside of SC and investigate you might find that we have it pretty good. Number one our former PACT test now the PASS was rated as one of the most difficult test in the nation. Our students score at the national level or better on the MAPS test but our state chooses for some reason NOT to use those scores as a measure of success...you tell me why. Technology wise we have most other states beat. We also have very stingent requirements for reporting our drop out rates. having just attended a conference in another state, I can assure you that we are not nearly as "backwards" as the media and especailly the P+C would have you think. We are not perfect and we have a long way to go, but our schools can compete with the others and do very well. If you want the higher test scores then pressure the state leggislature to use the same nationalized test that others are using. It would save money and we would be normed with the rest of the country. There is nothing wrong with the ITBS or the CAT or any of the other nationally normed test, SC for some cooky reason thought it needed its OWN test...WHY???
June 5, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonnative1963 (anonymous) says...
locosam: You, me and every other tax payer in this state...thats who paid for the idiot's case in court....that he KNEW he would NOT win.
June 5, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jm (anonymous) says...
Too bad Communism is taking hold of our state as with the nation. Do you think the government will give you money for no reason? The Government is like Satan, they both won't tell you what the terms are in the deal until it's to late. Then you pay with all you have.
June 5, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
speedygirl2000 (anonymous) says...
I would rather see the 700 million go towards the State deficit.
The state can not afford to spend when we have a negative balance on the budget.
The best rule that was taught to me by my parents( who grew up during the depression era)you spend only what you have and not to live off of credit.
June 5, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
HaroldReems: "sillyone>
... we must get together over an adult beverage and a pool table to discuss our strategy on dealing w/ a socialist president who is intent on dumbing down the youth of our precious nation."
Now THAT'S a reality show I watch. It would be like "My Name is Earl," but without all that sophisticated dialogue.
June 5, 2009 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kerwandstarks (anonymous) says...
Mark Sanford - Worst govenor ever
June 5, 2009 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
And the slide past mediocrity into abject welfare state continues. Statism continues and to the relief of some this "fine" jerkwater state will be where it belongs, at the bottom.
Agentman, trying to talk finance to the bulk of these nitwits is fruitless. They love money, they don't care how they get it or who has to pay it back. Those same folks have no problem with the constitution being raped. The 10th and 14th amendments come to mind. Or the Feds influencing the High court. Nothing wrong there. Idiots. Duh huh should be the motto of this state. Lookee ma, they dun gave us mor muney...yee haw
June 5, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
Mark Sanford - Rock Star of the new Republic 2012
June 5, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
Posted by kerwandstarks on June 5, 2009 at 11:33 a.m.
Mark Sanford - Worst govenor ever
*********************************
Ever heard of Rod Blagojevich?
June 5, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BreezinIAm (anonymous) says...
Fred and all,
See NEA Rankings and Estimates 2008, state comparisons in ten categories:
http://www.nea.org/home/29402.htm
Ex., SC Expenditures per Student in Public K-12 Schools, 2007-08: $8,721 ... SC #38 ... not great, not the worst.
A little light reading: Rankings and Estimates 2008-2009 (Full report)
http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/09rank...
National Education Association
http://www.nea.org/home/index.html
If you're interested in the numbers, it's a good idea to look at the SC Budget & Control Board site.
http://www.bcb.sc.gov/
What else. It's more fun to sit here and raise hell without digging into the facts, but, if anyone has the time, you could do us a favor by researching some conflicting statements.
Dropout rates?
SAT scores?
August 26, 2008: "South Carolina SAT scores improve slightly"
"South Carolina seniors raised their average SAT scores by two points this year while students across the country earned the same score as last year ..."
August 27, 2008: "2008 SAT Scores Show Declines for SC Public Education; Achievement Gap Widening"
"South Carolina's public schools showed a sharp drop in 2008 average SAT scores, according to an S.C. Policy Council analysis of the 2008 College Board report released today.
South Carolina's composite SAT score of 1461 remains the lowest in the south, and is 50 points below the national average."
Etc.
June 5, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JackDRipper (anonymous) says...
First off, we have to pay off the stimulus money no matter if we got it, or what we used it for. Second, it wasn't just for schools, it was for police and other emergency services that are in dire need of it.
Second, I don't like Sanford, but name calling doesn't do anything.
The fact of the matter, is that we as a country put ourselves in the current economic position we're in. We let the government deregulate to the point that it would have been stupid not to do the highly unethical business dealings that ran rampant in the real-estate, Wall Street, and credit industry. We stopped saving our money, did away with the gold standard (yes I'm going back that far in this countries history) and thought of nothing more than how can I get more stuff (be it a house or the next best gadget); with little regard on how we could pay for it. We ignored the homeless, health care, education, etc because we thought we could just buy our way out of it with credit.
- "Who's going to pay it back?"
- "Who cares? We won't be around then." Well guess what, we are around, and it's tearing our country apart. It's our fault, yours and mine that we got into this, and now all we do is point fingers at each other instead of trying to find a way out.
Is throwing money at our problems the best way? No, it's not the best way, but sitting back and letting things "fix themselves" is almost as smart as cutting off your head to cure your headache.
The fact of the matter is that our education system (specifically in SC) needs to be rebuilt. There's too much emphasis on test scores that don't mean squat, too many people blaming faulty teachers and parents, and not enough studying of other countries successful educational infrastructures and modeling our own after there's. (Of course, if you understand your American sociology, that way of thinking is almost directly related to the fact that as American's we have it hardwired into our brains that we always know what's best no matter what the subject is).
Will this stimulus money cure all our ills? Of course not. The way I see it, it's a bandage, but one we desperately need to keep from hemorrhaging ignorant and unqualified kids, attract better teachers (with better pay) and keep from loosing all the extracurricular activities (other than football, which we all no would be the last thing to go). Those of us who think the arts, social programs and the like are not as important as reading, writing and arithmetic are part of why our schools are in such a mess.
I don't want the feds coming in and telling us what to do with our money, but so far, no one in this state (myself included) has come up with a better plan, so I'm willing to bend on this in the hopes of have better educated kids.
June 5, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LuckyDay (anonymous) says...
Now I get it. Sanford and his minions are right. It would be a waste to invest $700 million on SC education. It's clear from so many posts on this page that this state is full of folks who are dumb, and happy to stay that way. No Fedral Guvmint is gonna make us learn how to compete in the 21st century. It's our God given right to stay stupid. You can build a school for bubba but you can't make him learn. The money should be going to North Carolina. They know how to use it.
June 5, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outrage (anonymous) says...
Posted by kerwandstarks on June 5, 2009 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mark Sanford - Worst govenor ever
-------------------------------------------
kerwandstarks = Worst speller ever!
June 5, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lloyd007 (anonymous) says...
THANK GOD SOMEBODY IN SOUTH CAROLINA HAS SOME SENSE.THIS PISS POOR EXCUSE FOR A GOVERNOR SURE AS HELL DOES'NT....
June 5, 2009 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BreezinIAm (anonymous) says...
JackDRipper, good points. I would add that political leadership - clear, imaginative, and courageous thinking - is the missing link.
Imagine if we woke up one morning and read this blurb:
"The governor also discussed why our economy continues to be largely insulated from effects being felt on the national economy level: wise investments in education, transportation and trade.
It is an investment strategy that is working.
We boast a diverse economy with a strong agricultural base, multi-year strength in commercial aircraft sales, a burgeoning software industry and population growth that will help us to protect local housing markets, the governor said."
Whoops, that was another governor speaking, the guv of Washington State, but it could happen here.
June 5, 2009 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CINCDEUCE (anonymous) says...
Now that the State Supreme Court has handed Mark Sanford his head, maybe he will SHUT UP!
CINCDEUCE
June 5, 2009 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNN_10 (anonymous) says...
The General Assembly and President of the Senate Pro Tem Glenn McConnell and Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell control South Carolina period. If Governor Sanford is looking toward 2012 think again.
June 5, 2009 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
Our Supremes just made it plain (at least to me) that funds under the ARRA (2009) are-NOT-discretionary. Gov. Sanford was instructed to-"take all legal and necessary steps to effectuate the State's receipt of the SFS funds -- for the purposes as set forth by Congress. [:] We issue a writ of mandamus compelling the Governor of South Carolina to comply with the law as set forth above."
http://www.sccourts.org/opinions/disp...
Edwards and Williams v. State and SCASA v. Sanford, Sup. Ct. (4 June 2009) Op. No. 26662
CHIEF JUSTICE TOAL, JUSTICE WALLER, JUSTICE BEATTY, AND JUSTICE KITTREDGE: We accepted these matters concerning the application for State Fiscal Stabilization (SFS) funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) [:]
The duty to execute the Budget, as properly enacted by the General Assembly, is a ministerial duty of the Governor. He has no discretion concerning the appropriation of funds. The application for the SFS funds is a simple, definite duty arising under the conditions specified in the ARRA and leaves nothing to Governor Sanford's discretion. [:] We hold under the circumstances presented that a writ of mandamus is warranted and issue a writ of mandamus to compel Governor Sanford to apply for the SFS funds and take all legal and necessary steps to effectuate the State's receipt of the SFS funds for the purposes as set forth by Congress. [:] We issue a writ of mandamus compelling the Governor of South Carolina to comply with the law as set forth above.
PLEICONES, J., concurring in a separate opinion.
F.N. [6] The Governor's position in this matter is much like that of the state of South Dakota in Lawrence County v. Lead-Deadwood Sch. Dist., 469 U.S. 256 (1985). The Governor wants to change the purpose for which Congress directed the ARRA funds to be used. To that end, he wrote President Obama and requested a waiver from the ARRA's spending purpose -- so that the SFS funds could be used for state debt reduction. The Office of Management and Budget denied this request on the grounds that such spending would violate the federal act. Similarly, in Lawrence County, the United States Supreme Court held that the state of South Dakota could not change the purpose for which federal payment in lieu of taxes funds could be utilized.
SO-WHY DOES THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FEEL ENTITLED TO TAKE THE STIMULUS PAYMENTS FROM INDIVIDUAL RECIPIENTS TO PAY DOWN ALLEGED DEBTS TO THE STATE?
Somebody wanna help me out with this one -- cause I may have just missed the point or something!!!
June 5, 2009 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
Posted by CINCDEUCE on June 5, 2009 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now that the State Supreme Court has handed Mark Sanford his head, maybe he will SHUT UP!
CINCDEUCE
******************
You first.
June 5, 2009 at 1:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
commonsence (anonymous) says...
Sounds like McGinley and other supers are already downplaying expectations. This past school year started out with a series of budget meetings with the theme of "the perfect storm" telling us we were many millions in the hole and schools must be closed. Then millions in new "programs" were added (Summit, 6th grade academies, eg.). Then "projected" deficits decreased from 30M to 15M. Now millions more come in stimulus funds but we are told not to expect big changes in performance. It's 12 months later...time for the doom and gloom articles for next year to start back up.
June 5, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MANDO (anonymous) says...
Peoples overindulgence and overspending (and government waste) is now costing me and I am talking on both sides of the economic spectrum. Because I am in the middle, it's now responsibility to help pay this back in addition to the rest SC got. Outside of extra policing and firefighting, which I've not directly had to use, I am sick and tired of all the hands out. My hand isn't out for an incentive for being responsible-- just sickens me.
June 5, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
graysmoak (anonymous) says...
I'm so sick of hearing about our school system! It's been failing at least as long as I've been alive. Why can't everyone in charge be fired and let's start over? What would that hurt? At my job if I screw up for 25 years straight I'm sure no one would fire me. Also, the South Carolina Education Lottery gives a BILLION dollars a year to education. If you can't operate with your budget AND a BILLION more dollars that just fell out of the sky into your lap, you should be beaten with an oar.
June 5, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
http://www.sctax.org/NR/rdonlyres/1C9...
State of South Carolina
Department of Revenue
301 Gervais Street, P. O. Box 12265, Columbia, South Carolina 29211
Website Address: http://www.sctax.org
SC INFORMATION LETTER #08-7
SUBJECT: -- Federal Economic Stimulus Payment --
DATE: April 14, 2008
AUTHORITY: S. C. Code Ann. Section 12-4-320 (2000 and Supp. 2007)
S.C. Code Ann. Section 1-23-10(4) (2005)
SC Revenue Procedure #05-2
[:]
The Internal Revenue Service will begin sending qualifying taxpayers -- rebate -- payments in early May. To receive the payment, eligible taxpayers must file a 2007 federal income tax return. Even taxpayers who are not otherwise required to file a federal return must file a federal return to get the -- rebate --. [:] Examples of individuals who may be filing a federal return only to receive the rebate are low income taxpayers who because of the federal standard deduction and federal exemptions are not required to file a federal return, individuals with social security income who do not have sufficient other income to require filing a federal return, and certain military personnel with nontaxable combat pay who do not have other income that would require the filing of a federal return.
According to the IRS website, the -- rebates -- are not subject to federal income tax. The -- rebates -- will also not be subject to South Carolina income tax.
Page 1
June 5, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
gray - actually less than half a billion goes to K-12th grades. The majority goes towards higher education.
So, Johnny can graduate and go to college and still not read.
June 5, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
I thought the "South Carolina Educational Lottery" was to be used totally for schools in this state. I guess I missed the boat of not understanding. Wouldn't the "Educational Lottery" money if used, assist with the stimulus package, where the "lottery" money is to be used for education,and the "stimulus" money used for hiring more police, fire, road work, etc..
June 5, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
Great posts lillycollette...now I'd like to see more go towards Judicial Family Court Reform.
June 5, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BreezinIAm (anonymous) says...
Gray and Luna, those are some pretty wild figures; not even close to reality.
According to the SC Budget & Control Board (FY 2008-2009), the SC Lottery kicks in a total of $261 million for both K-12 and higher education.
You're right that higher education receives a greater percentage: "$49,614,527 is earmarked for K-12 education, $202,508,202 is earmarked for higher education." Total: $252,122,729.00
That leaves a bal of $8.6 million. Admin and capital expenses? I'm sure (hope) it's accounted for somewhere.
June 5, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
issuetaker (anonymous) says...
What sort of judicial court reform? More judges, court houses?
June 5, 2009 at 3:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
issuetaker...I don't know your background,and I certainly am not making an attempt to disrespect you, but if you don't work in the judicial family courts in this state, then its too complicated to explain. I do work in the family court structure of this state, not any other court system...but if you do or have an association to the family courts, then you should know what I'm referring to.
Have you been through or have you ever seen or worked a family court case custody manner is my first question for you?
As for court houses, in my opinion, we do not need more for the family courts. A new one will be opening very soon in St. George...have you seen it? It's huge!
As for more judges, well that is an open-ended question for me to answer, but I'd like to say that some of the family court judges need to be retrained, over-hauled, and be accountable for their actions. A custody case where the decision to do (if there are children involved) is basically left up to a family court judge, and if old and new laws are researched...you may think twice or understand what is going on in family courts. I'm not trying to be disrespectful or rude here...this also goes hand-in-hand with lawyers and guardian ad litems. Notice how I'm saying family courts only! Enough said for now! Please forgive my spelling on this informal posting board.
June 5, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
st33lz (anonymous) says...
Little tidbit.
SC has a 60% graduation rate which I believe is 49th (or 50th) in the country.
Let's make one thing clear. This statistic is by far the most important statistical figure in analyzing this states education level.
If you can't get by HS, then that is pretty much pathetic. It basically guarantees you that you aren't making it to college, including a technical / community college.
So, what's that mean? Uneducated workforce. What does that mean? Employers will NOT build locations in areas where uneducated workforce is a problem. What does that mean? Lower paying wages or unemployment.
It's a huge domino effect people (as most everyone knows).
The statistics are overwhelming in regards to salary and education level. Granted, there is always "exceptions" but they are far and few between.
Average annual salary for the education levels for the US(below)
Professional Degree $109,600
Doctoral Degree $89,400
Master's Degree $62,300
Bachelor's Degree $52,200
Associate's Degree $38,200
Some College $36,800
High School Graduate $30,400
Some High School $23,400
These numbers are most likely significantly lower in SC (this list is national) due to the average pay scale being significantly lower than the national average.
June 5, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
AFWally-"Mark Sanford - Rock Star of the new Republic 2012"
Really? Kind of like the real winners that Sean Hannity has on his "freedom tour"? Michael W Smith, Charlie Daniels, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood? Wow...I'd rather have my teeth pulled than listen to those has beens and never weres....
June 5, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
Great post, st33lz. By the way, where are those salary statistics from?
June 5, 2009 at 4:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
graysmoak (anonymous) says...
My figures came from a news blurb that in the first 3 years we had the lottery they'd given 3 billion dollars to education. It didn't break it down into what went where, and I averaged that they must give a billion a year then, if in three years they gave three billion dollars. At any rate the point that whoever is in charge is grossly incompetent and obviously no amount of money is going to fix that. I'd further like to point out that no one should expect anything of the children when those in charge of teaching them are so dumb.
June 5, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
vmirat90--I don't care for Hannity or the others, but I do like Charlie Daniels I've seen him several times over the years and the man can still jam, he also does many benefit shows for our troops for free, I was priveledged to have him play for us once at our remote location, so go ahead and beat up on him if you'd like, everyone that has served in the military knows who Charlie Daniels is and apprecitaes what he does. BTW you done any support function for our men and women who sleep in the mud on your behalf?
June 5, 2009 at 5:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
I like the idea of the benefit, I was commenting on the crappy entertainment which he promotes as top flite entertainers. Don't judge me on what I've done to support the armed forces- first of all, I didn't realize that I was on trial here, secondly, it's none of your business.
June 5, 2009 at 6 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
once again, harold, you make assumptions that you aren't qualified to make. You know what they say about people that make assumptions, don't you? Congrats, you just made yourself one.
Oh yeah, I forgot...only self righteous jerks like yourself can love this country.
June 5, 2009 at 6:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
vmirat90--You F around with Charlie Daniels then it is my business, kabish?
June 5, 2009 at 6:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IValueU (anonymous) says...
For those of you who are happy about receiving the stimulus money, I hope you will be as happy when you are required to pay back these borrowed funds plus the interest from your hypothetically expanded paychecks comprising of weakened dollars which have been reduced by high inflation and higher state and federal taxes to pay back the principle and interest to the Chinese from whom the stimulus money was borrowed from. I would be willing to bet improvements in the schools will be negligible no matter how much money is thrown at them because the problems are much deeper and can not be solved with the "stuff" which can be purchased with money.
June 5, 2009 at 8:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
Luna, news flash for you. all education and professional licensing sets a standard of minimum competence. For example, to be licenced as a physician you must take exams that will demonstrate you are minimally competent to practice. If you "ace" the exam or barely pass the result is the same. The trick is setting the minimum competence level.
June 5, 2009 at 8:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
oh lighten up, AF. I don't give a rat's arse about that washed up old man. Besides, if he is at the top of your musical taste, well....wow. That's all I can say.
June 5, 2009 at 8:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
besides, AF...being an internet tough guy, quite impressive.
June 5, 2009 at 8:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
omarro1974 (anonymous) says...
We were going to have to pay it back anyway. So we might as well get it.
We live in a state that is too afraid to spend money or fund programs because we are scared that ONE poor(read:black) person will actually benefit from it. The problem with that mindset is that in the rush to hinder poor people from getting services, a lot of middle-class people who also depend on services such as schools lose out also. You think any of these elected officials care about whether or not your child gets a quality education?
June 5, 2009 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
issuetaker (anonymous) says...
GAL2000, I had a friend that went through a pretty rough divorce and custody case a few years ago. Had it not been for his lawyer exposing the untruths and showing that the woman who was the guardian to be rather amateurish and biased he'd have been toast. Fortunately, he got custody, the ex, her lawyer and the guardian got mad, plus he was reimbursed fees. Other than that I hear only stories. Maybe I don't have the depth of experiance you have but the
system worked very well in that case in spite of having a system which allows non professionals to be paid more than they worth to be glorified voyeurs.
I'm sure that may not be you but if there was to be reform as you suggested, I was curious as to what you had in mind. Perhaps we should begin by insuring none other than those with a law degree or professional license be allowed in that system. I'm just as much against non-lawyer judges in magistrate's courts but that is getting off the topic.
June 5, 2009 at 9:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
meemz (anonymous) says...
RAT,
The entertainment that Hannity promotes for the Freedom Tour is a benefit for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund for the dependents of U.S. Military personnel who have been killed or permanently disabled in an operational mission or training accident.
>>>Posted by vmirat90 on June 5, 2009 at 6 p.m. I like the idea of the benefit, I was commenting on the crappy entertainment which he promotes as top flite entertainers.
June 5, 2009 at 9:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
meemz (anonymous) says...
Omar,
There is no way you could actually believe what you posted! S.C. is, and was prior to the recession, comprised of entirely too many "poor" people for a variety of reasons. Anyone who is able and does have a job, who is poor, is very much entitled to benefit from state programs/services in my opinion. Those who sit on their butts, produce baby after baby out of wedlock, waiting for a monthly check, food stamps, housing and anything else they can "get" deserve nothing in my opinion. A prerequisite to receiving state services ought to be holding down a job, under a normal economy, when at all able to work. Make no mistake, poor does not = a skin color anymore than it = being uneducated. The racial card has long since run its course and is worn out. It's nothing more than an excuse in this day and time. Am I saying that racism no longer exists? No I'm not! It does still exist here and there on both/all sides.
>>>Posted by omarro1974 on June 5, 2009 at 8:44 p.m.
We live in a state that is too afraid to spend money or fund programs because we are scared that ONE poor(read:black) person will actually benefit from it. The problem with that mindset is that in the rush to hinder poor people from getting services, a lot of middle-class people who also depend on services such as schools lose out also. You think any of these elected officials care about whether or not your child gets a quality education?
June 5, 2009 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanleyt (anonymous) says...
Sanford is good at getting his name in the paper, little else.
June 5, 2009 at 10:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
Posted by omarro1974 on June 5, 2009 at 8:44 p.m.
We were going to have to pay it back anyway. So we might as well get it.
We live in a state that is too afraid to spend money or fund programs because we are scared that ONE poor(read:black) person will actually benefit from it.
******************************************************
And there it is: "If you don't agree with me, you must be a racist."
Some of us are simply tired of being used like ATMs to fund every idiotic idea government comes up with.
And in a few years our taxes will go up not just to repay this "free money" all the shortsided geniuses insisted we just HAD to take. Our taxes will also go up to fund the new programs that were started or expanded using the "free money" and must now be continued once the "free money" is gone, as required by the 1000+ page stimulus bill that no one read before passing it into law.
And that will be about the same time you'll have to start paying taxes on the portion of your health insurance premiums that are paid by your employer.
But hey, no one making under $250K a year is going to see a tax increase, right?
Right.
June 5, 2009 at 10:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
Thanks for trying Governor. Now we will be paying this back for the rest of our lives and receiving no benefit from it. Misery loves company and pretty soon we will be a nation of companions in misery.
June 5, 2009 at 10:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
feb251939 Excellent post but probably wasted on many of these folks who have never suffered anything more troubling than not being able to get their favorite sitcom on due to a power failure.
A couple of posters have made comparisons to North Carolina alluding to the assumption that they are so far ahead of us in just about everything.
I had a home in North Carolina for six years and wondered why I ever left the low country. After wondering long enough I came back to stay.
North Carolina has a huge military and military retiree population, Some years ago the democratically controlled legislature passed the Baily Act which exempts all military, federal and state retirees from paying state income tax.
Sound great don't it? If your in one of those categories!
In six years my property taxes went up 32%. Homestead exemption of $10,000 is limited to those households with a gross income of $19,000 or less. No local sales tax breaks either and the sales tax was 7 1/2% if I recall correctly.
Jim Black, democrat speaker of the house I believe was convicted of taking bribes and sent to prison.
The only real high dollar areas in North Carolina are Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) and the Raleigh Durham region. The rest of the state is no better off and probably worse than what South Carolina has to offer.
In the few years I was there I saw Sara Lee, Thomasville, Manufacturing, Oldham Tool Company, Bristol Compressors, and Levinson Electric leave just to name a few.
Any of you folks who think NC is so great, go for it!
Governor Sanford is a knight in shining amour compared to the "really" corrupt NC governor Easley who was in office when I lived there.
The present governor Beverly Purdue is a true Obama worshiper who actually owes her ascension to the governors office to his success in fooling the voting public. I suppose the fact that she's a lifetime member of the NAACP didn't hurt her either in her run for office.
June 5, 2009 at 10:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
To: GAL2000
From: lillycollette
See, http://web.archive.org/web/2003102821...
One Hundred Years of a Family Court System
by Barbara Lyn Lapp
June 6, 2009 at 4:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
Geepers, my comments from 1:22 PM and 2:32 PM have not gotten any response.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Posted on June 5 at 1:22 p.m.
Our Supremes just made it plain (at least to me) that funds under the ARRA (2009) are-NOT-discretionary. Gov. Sanford was instructed to-"take all legal and necessary steps to effectuate the State's receipt of the SFS funds -- for the purposes as set forth by Congress. [:] We issue a writ of mandamus compelling the Governor of South Carolina to comply with the law as set forth above."
http://www.sccourts.org/opinions/display...
Edwards and Williams v. State and SCASA v. Sanford, Sup. Ct. (4 June 2009) Op. No. 26662
CHIEF JUSTICE TOAL, JUSTICE WALLER, JUSTICE BEATTY, AND JUSTICE KITTREDGE: We accepted these matters concerning the application for State Fiscal Stabilization (SFS) funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) [:]
The duty to execute the Budget, as properly enacted by the General Assembly, is a ministerial duty of the Governor. He has no discretion concerning the appropriation of funds. The application for the SFS funds is a simple, definite duty arising under the conditions specified in the ARRA and leaves nothing to Governor Sanford's discretion. [:] We hold under the circumstances presented that a writ of mandamus is warranted and issue a writ of mandamus to compel Governor Sanford to apply for the SFS funds and take all legal and necessary steps to effectuate the State's receipt of the SFS funds for the purposes as set forth by Congress. [:] We issue a writ of mandamus compelling the Governor of South Carolina to comply with the law as set forth above.
PLEICONES, J., concurring in a separate opinion.
F.N. [6] The Governor's position in this matter is much like that of the state of South Dakota in Lawrence County v. Lead-Deadwood Sch. Dist., 469 U.S. 256 (1985). The Governor wants to change the purpose for which Congress directed the ARRA funds to be used. To that end, he wrote President Obama and requested a waiver from the ARRA's spending purpose -- so that the SFS funds could be used for state debt reduction. The Office of Management and Budget denied this request on the grounds that such spending would violate the federal act. Similarly, in Lawrence County, the United States Supreme Court held that the state of South Dakota could not change the purpose for which federal payment in lieu of taxes funds could be utilized.
SO-WHY DOES THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FEEL ENTITLED TO TAKE THE STIMULUS PAYMENTS FROM INDIVIDUAL RECIPIENTS TO PAY DOWN ALLEGED DEBTS TO THE STATE?
Somebody wanna help me out with this one -- cause I may have just missed the point or something!!!
June 6, 2009 at 4:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
And:
Posted on June 5 at 2:32 p.m.
http://www.sctax.org/NR/rdonlyres/1C9DD4...
State of South Carolina
Department of Revenue
301 Gervais Street, P. O. Box 12265, Columbia, South Carolina 29211
Website Address: http://www.sctax.org
SC INFORMATION LETTER #08-7
SUBJECT: -- Federal Economic Stimulus Payment --
DATE: April 14, 2008
AUTHORITY: S. C. Code Ann. Section 12-4-320 (2000 and Supp. 2007)
S.C. Code Ann. Section 1-23-10(4) (2005)
SC Revenue Procedure #05-2
[:]
The Internal Revenue Service will begin sending qualifying taxpayers -- rebate -- payments in early May. To receive the payment, eligible taxpayers must file a 2007 federal income tax return. Even taxpayers who are not otherwise required to file a federal return must file a federal return to get the -- rebate --. [:] Examples of individuals who may be filing a federal return only to receive the rebate are low income taxpayers who because of the federal standard deduction and federal exemptions are not required to file a federal return, individuals with social security income who do not have sufficient other income to require filing a federal return, and certain military personnel with nontaxable combat pay who do not have other income that would require the filing of a federal return.
According to the IRS website, the -- rebates -- are not subject to federal income tax. The -- rebates -- will also not be subject to South Carolina income tax.
Page 1
June 6, 2009 at 4:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
The stimulus payments are "REBATES"-they are NOT "income tax refunds".
They would not appear to be funds which could be legally taken by the state under guise of the SETOFF DEBT COLLECTION ACT.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t12c...
Title 12 - Taxation
CHAPTER 56.
SETOFF DEBT COLLECTION ACT
Anybody else got any ideas on this???
June 6, 2009 at 5:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
http://www.sccourts.org/opinions/html...
Gardner v. SCDREV, Sup. CT. (2003) Op. No.: 25587
On the Setoff Debt Collection Act :
June 6, 2009 at 6:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
issuetaker...your comment to my comment to you was very well taken...and thank you for sharing that sory with me. I appreciate that! Yes, the biased stuff is troublesome. You do have some knowledge and you've seen first hand how this could affect a persons life. Thank you for discussing this issue with me.
June 6, 2009 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
Thanks lillycollette...will be in touch soon.
June 6, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
meemz..for the LAST time...apparently most of you don't know how to read or comprehend---I said it was a good cause- never said it wasn't. I was criticizing the horrible entertainment. Learn to read just a bit before you call me out.
June 6, 2009 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
GRAY...."Why can't everyone in charge be fired and let's start over?"
...Sure, let's start with the so-called parents!!!!
LUNA..."So, Johnny can graduate and go to college and still not read." LMAO!!!! You are so right on that one!
.....In reference to the SC "Education" lottery. I can't for the life of me understand why this lottery spends MOST of its money on higher education. If students are not performing on grade level by the 3rd grade level, they won't qualify for higher education.
BTW....you can thank one of our former governors, Hodges, for that lovely "education" lottery.
June 6, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
You put up a good fight Mark Sanford, you did the right thing, just by the measure of how many little leftist, hands-out lemmings want you to take the money.
Hang in there Sanford, you will be proven right after the collapse comes that the left and obam is bringing.
Europeans punish left-leaning parties in EU voting
BRUSSELS Conservatives raced toward victory in some of Europe's largest economies Sunday as exit polls showed voters punishing left-leaning parties in European Parliament elections in France, Germany and elsewhere.
Some right-leaning parties suggested the results vindicated their reluctance to spend more on company bailouts and fiscal stimulus amid the global economic crisis.
Projections showed Germany's Social Democrats heading to their worst showing in a nationwide election since World War II. Four months before a German national election, the outcome boosted conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel's hopes of ending the tense left-right "grand coalition" that has led the European Union's most populous nation since 2005.
"We are the force that is acting level-headedly and correctly in this financial and economic crisis," said Volker Kauder, the leader of Merkel's party in the German parliament.
Exit polls suggested France's governing conservative party scored a resounding victory with 28.3 percent of the vote, followed by the opposition Socialist Party with 17.5 percent.
French Socialists said their defeat signaled a need to rethink left-wing policies to unseat Sarkozy.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090607/a...
*****French Socialists said their defeat signaled a need to rethink left-wing policies to unseat Sarkozy.****
OBAMA are you and hugo chavez paying attention...?
June 7, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
all this financial meltdown thanks to "BANK AFFIRMATIVE ACTION"
Clinton administration's They forced banks to make BAD LOANS and ACORN and Obama's tie to all of it!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivmL-l...
"Democrats' affirmative action lending policies became an embarrassment, the Los Angeles Times reported that, starting in 1992, a majority-Democratic Congress "mandated that Fannie and Freddie increase their purchases of mortgages for low-income and medium-income borrowers. Operating under that requirement, Fannie Mae, in particular, has been aggressive and creative in stimulating minority gains."
Under Clinton, the entire federal government put massive pressure on banks to grant more mortgages to the poor and minorities. Clinton's secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Andrew Cuomo, investigated Fannie Mae for racial discrimination and proposed that 50 percent of Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's portfolio be made up of loans to low- to moderate-income borrowers by the year 2001.
Democrats Equally to Blame for Financial Collapse
Democrats pushing mortgages to those who could not afford them are just as much to blame as those who flooded the economy with cheap cash.
By Charlotte Iserbyt
In 1999, liberals were bragging about extending affirmative action to the financial sector. Los Angeles Times reporter Ron Brownstein hailed the Clinton administration's affirmative action lending policies as one of the "hidden success stories" of the Clinton administration, saying that "black and Latino homeownership has surged to the highest level ever recorded."
Meanwhile, economists were screaming from the rooftops that the Democrats were forcing mortgage lenders to issue loans that would fail the moment the housing market slowed and deadbeat borrowers couldn't get out of their loans by selling their houses.
A decade later, the housing bubble burst and, as predicted, food-stamp-backed mortgages collapsed. Democrats set an affirmative action time-bomb and now it's gone off."
http://www.americanfreepress.net/html...
June 7, 2009 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
By STEPHEN LABATON
The Bush administration today recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago.
Under the plan, disclosed at a Congressional hearing today, a new agency would be created within the Treasury Department to assume supervision of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored companies that are the two largest players in the mortgage lending industry.
"These two entities - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - are not facing any kind of financial crisis," said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. "The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing."
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/11/bus...
Democrats defended their policy of "BANK AFFIRMATIVE ACTION;
U.S. REP. MAXINE WATERS (D-CALIFORNIA):
"Mr. Chairman, we do not have a crisis at Freddie Mac, and in particular at Fannie Mae, under the outstanding leadership of Mr. Frank Raines. Everything in the 1992 act has worked just fine. In fact, the GSEs have exceeded their housing goals. "What we need to do today is to focus on the regulator, and this must be done in a manner so as not to impede their [Fannie and Freddie's] affordable housing mission, a mission that has seen innovation flourish from desktop underwriting to 100 percent loans."
Fannie Mayhem: A History
Fannie's Inside Info 07/01/02 Even in this post-Enron world, Fan and Fred do not provide as much information about these securities as private mortgage lenders do.
Inside Fannie 03/19/02 Fan and Fred don't function like other companies. They're allowed to pile up debt, implicitly guaranteed by taxpayers, without being held to even the minimum of corporate governance standards.
Frantic Fannie 02/28/02 Companies taking on so much risk and debt, and backed by taxpayers, ought to be more transparent in what they tell the world.
Fannie Mae Enron? 02/20/02 Fan and Fred look like poorly run hedge funds: lots of leverage and snarkily hedged risk. Does the word Enron ring any bells?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12159...
June 7, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
NEW YORK (AP) - The Federal Reserve announced a $1.2 trillion plan three months ago designed to push down mortgage rates and breathe life into the housing market.
But this and other big government spending programs are turning out to have the opposite effect. Rates for mortgages and U.S. Treasury debt are now marching higher as nervous bond investors fret about a resurgence of inflation.
That's the Catch-22 threatening to make an awful housing market potentially worse and keep the economy stuck in a funk. Kick-starting the economy requires higher spending, but rising rates mean fewer Americans will be able to refinance their home loans. And some potential buyers will be shut out of the market by higher monthly payments they won't be able to afford.
To understand how this is all connected, you have to think like a bond trader. Inflation is their enemy because it means the purchasing power of the dollars they receive when bonds eventually are paid off will be diminished. The only question is by how much.
Yields on 10-year Treasury notes, a benchmark for home mortgages and other consumers loans, jumped from 2.5 percent in March around the time of the Fed announcement to as high as 3.7 percent in recent days as signs that efforts to stabilize the financial system and economy were starting to pay off. And 30-year mortgage rates jumped more than a quarter-point this week to 5.29 percent, the highest level since December, Freddie Mac reported.
"If the meltdown continues in the bond market, then mortgage yields will soon be at levels that choke off refinancing activity," said economist Ed Yardeni, who runs his own investment firm. "Even worse, they could abort any necessary recovery in home sales and prices."
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090...
June 7, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
vmirat90--anytime anyplace you 'Lil puss
June 7, 2009 at 8:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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