S. 877 is a bill that will allow the Hampton County School district to issue general obligation bonds to meet operating expenses. In other words, this school district wants to borrow money to pay the bills of the day to day operations. The argument is that s. 877 is a local bill and only the Senate members of the Hampton County delegation should vote. As s. 877 recieved 2nd and 3rd readings, that how it was handled. However, Gov. Haley vetoed the bill.

We are now being asked to vote present on the veto. I can’t, in good conscience put my fingers in my ears, and hands in from of my eyes and ignore what is happening here.

This abuse of debt is reckless and irresponsible and I can’t sit idle while taxpayers of any county could be responsible for this outragious act of borrow and spending.

We’re told it only affects Hampton County. What about the Anderson County resident that owns property in Hampton County? What about all SC Taxpayers that will foot the bill if they default on their loan? What about the $14,000 per student (state average $11k) they’re getting now?

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303848104576384040981949016.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

WALL STREET JOURNAL
June 15, 2011
 
Why Are Taxpayers Paying for Wine Tasting?
 
In The Wall Street Journal op-ed, Senator Jim DeMint asks why, amid record deficits, Congress is proposing to increase the budget of the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration, which has been wasting taxpayer dollars for years.
 
By Jim DeMint
 
Long before there was President Obama’s stimulus, there was the Economic Development Administration. The EDA was created in 1965 with the same high-minded intent used to usher in the $814 billion stimulus bill in 2009. Set inside the Commerce Department, the bureau and its grants are supposed to promote economic competitiveness and create jobs. In reality, the EDA has given taxpayers little return on their investment and instead become a slush fund for the well-connected.

Certainly, the bureau has funded some well-meaning projects, just as there were some noncontroversial earmarks mixed in with bridges to nowhere and teapot museums. As a recovering earmarker, I must say that I have supported certain EDA grants in the past. But to my fellow senators, I now say this: If you aren’t willing to cut spending you previously supported, our nation is destined for bankruptcy.

Yet, in the midst of a debt crisis, the Senate is currently seeking to increase EDA funding to $500 million a year from $300 million. Worse, this bill passed out of a Senate authorization committee with unanimous, bipartisan support.

A review of the EDA’s grants makes clear that, just like the stimulus, this program too often has used federal dollars to fund pet projects that have little relation to the national interest. In April, the bureau reported that it gave a $2 million grant to build a “culinary amphitheater,” wine tasting room, and gift shop at the Port of Benton and the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Richland, Wash. The same month, it gave $1.5 million to promote tourism in the Northern Mariana Islands. In January, it spent $1 million on an “innovation conference center” in Arkansas to promote “cultural enrichment.”

A 2009 study of the EDA by the nonpartisan Cato Institute collected numerous government oversight reports and documented widespread abuse of taxpayer dollars. The study noted that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is familiar with the EDA process. In 2008, he hand- delivered a $2 million EDA check to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Research Foundation to begin construction of the “UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.”

The Cato study also found that the EDA overstates its success. The agency claimed a project in 1986 created nearly 6,000 new jobs, but later the government admitted the actual number was less than 100. Multiple studies by the Government Accountability Office have found that EDA programs “did not have a significant effect,” achieved “inconclusive” results, and “may even detract” from a more flexible and educated work force.

More recently, the inspector general overseeing the EDA audited 10 projects totaling $45 million between 2004 and 2008. It found that $13 million, or 29% of that money, had been wasted due to “various violations of EDA grant requirements such as financial accounting irregularities, conflicts of interest, and improper procurement procedures.” Four of the 10 projects were never even completed.

The EDA’s efforts also duplicate existing federal programs. For example, in February the bureau gave $49 million to support flood-impacted regions in Rhode Island, Nebraska, Tennessee and Kentucky. The Federal Emergency Management Agency should oversee that, not the EDA. The agency has delivered millions more to boost green energy projects, which should be administered, if at all, by the Department of Energy.

The EDA is just one of 180 federal economic-development programs, including the Small Business Administration’s disaster-assistance loans, the Agriculture Department’s rural development programs and economic action program, Housing and Urban Development’s community development block grants, Health and Human Services’ community economic development grants, and the New Markets Tax Credit.

Mr. Obama’s deficit commission cited these same examples of duplication and waste as reasons to eliminate the EDA completely—something Congress should immediately do. But Democrats and, sadly, some Republicans, want to give the EDA a raise.

Soon Congress must choose whether to increase the nation’s debt ceiling, allowing the government to borrow even more money to keep up its spending spree. Every member of Congress will be asked to increase government spending with a vote. Every member of Congress should be actively finding ways to reduce spending instead.

Mr. DeMint, a Republican, is a senator from South Carolina.

Mac vs. PC: A Hunch Rematch

Many have asked me this question since all the conflicting opinions are flying as to whether the Governor had the authority to call us into special session during recess. Well, here’s my answer: neither.

Here’s how I’d like to name sides to this issue:

SC Budget and Control Board vs. You the Taxpayer

I’m on your side!

The current form of this restructuring bill is very good; much better than I would have ever dreamed of. The amendment to kill the antiquated B&CB passed almost unanimously. I’d like to credit the bipartisan work of Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D-Kershaw) and Sen. Shane Massey (R-Edgefield) for their efforts in getting this amendment passed.

The faster we can enact this historical restructuring legislation, the better. However the SC Supreme Court said in Lee Corso fasion: “Not so fast my friend”! Hopefully, we can gather the 2/3 vote to amend the sine die resolution and get on this bill on Tuesday, June 14th. If we don’t get the change in the sine die resolution, it will be well positioned for debate in the first week of January 2012, but millions of dollars will slip away if it’s put off for 6 months.

I guess the Democrats are using this issue to try to divide and conquer.

I found this video on fitsnews.com. SC Democrat Chairman Dick Harpootlian has posted a video of their version of the conflict between Gov. Haley and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell. I think its funny, btw, but hopefully the video won’t accomplish its intentions.

VCI-SC Inc. Announces New Facility in Pickens County
$2 million investment expected to create 50 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gov. Nikki Haley, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and Alliance Pickens today announced that VCI-SC Inc., a metal working firm, will establish its new facility in Pickens County. The $2 million investment is expected to generate 50 new jobs.

“We are pleased to move forward with plans to establish our new operations in Pickens County. The new facility will allow us to manufacture products in much closer proximity to our customers and allow us to expand our market share in the Southeast. South Carolina offers us a positive business environment and exceptional market access. We look forward to starting our new operations in the Upstate,” said Gene Harrison, president of VCI Inc.

VCI-SC Inc. will locate a metal parts manufacturing and design facility in an existing building located at 2632 Farrs Bridge Road in Pickens County. In addition to being a supplier for BMW and other automotive OEM’s, the company does metal work for the aerospace, energy, industrial and military sectors.

“We welcome VCI-SC Inc. to our state’s business community and appreciate the company’s decision to start new operations and create good, new manufacturing jobs here. South Carolina is a competitive place to do business as announcements like this one show. This administration is committed to continuing efforts to improve our state’s business climate and attract investment that creates jobs for South Carolinians,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

“VCI-SC Inc. is a leader in providing metal working services and products and the company’s decision to locate its new facility in Pickens County is another sign that our state’s business-friendly climate is attracting investment. Manufacturing remains a critical part of our state’s economy, especially in the automotive-related sector. We look forward to VCI-SC starting operations in the Palmetto State,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.

“We are thrilled to welcome VCI-SC to Pickens County as they expand their operations into the Southeast. VCI was attracted by our skilled technical workers, our educational programs in our high schools and technical college, and our business-friendly climate. It is wonderful to be announcing this expansion in Pickens County today and we look forward to watching and supporting VCI-SC as they prosper in South Carolina for many, many years to come,” stated Jennifer Willis, chairwoman of the Pickens County Council.

“VCI-SC is just the sort of company that we like to see locate here,” said Dr. Ronnie L. Booth, chairman of Alliance Pickens. “Gene and his team are on top of their game and committed to excellence in manufacturing and also in the way they do business. We look forward to a long-term relationship that will result in a secure future for highly skilled employees, superb products for VCI-SC customers, and community involvement by Gene and his entire employee base.”

The company will begin hiring for the new positions in late June. VCI-SC will be looking for applicants for design, welding, machine set-up, machine programming, fixture building and general labor. Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company should contact the Liberty Workforce Center at 864-843-6534 at that time.

VCI, based in Sturgis, Mich., is a full service manufacturing firm. The company specializes in material handling solutions and also performs contract manufacturing. The company’s services include concept development, 3D design and solid modeling, prototyping, production laser cutting, CNC brake press bending, machining, cold saw cutting, welding, parts assembly and parts finishing. For more information about the company, please visit www.vciusa.com.
-###-