Another real life adventure of Ken and Barbie. Hey Barbie, how did you get that new job with Anderson County? I met this real nice man at the bar I worked at. Well, what’s your job? I’m not sure, but we’re going to Myrtle Beach this weekend for economic development. They even gave me a credit card. Really? I think I’m really gonna like this job. I get free travel all over the country. A free car, free gas, free food, and even free booze! Man, do you think I could get one of those jobs? I don’t think so, I was told they needed more ladies to work for the county’s remote economic development. I heard they’re hiring 25 more as soon as the new budget and new tax increases pass. I’m Eddie Moore, and if elected to District 3 County Council, I will vote to stop the party that is going on with your tax dollars. Paid for by Eddie Moore. Find out more, at eddiemooreforcouncil.com

Members of the General Assembly requested the Legislative Audit Council to conduct an audit of state agencies’ use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices. We reviewed whether agencies had policies and procedures to ensure that cell phones and other devices are used in an efficient manner and reviewed the adequacy of agency internal controls over these devices.

We estimate that during the time of our review state agencies had over 15,000 cell phones, 7,000 pagers, and 170 satellite phones. Approximately 25% of state employees carried state-issued cell phones. Of the 100 agencies we surveyed, 96 reported having issued cell phones and/or pagers to their employees. For equipment and services, we estimate that the state spent over $7 million on cell phones, $790,000 on pagers, and $68,000 on satellite phones in FY 05-06.

We found ways that agencies have taken steps to improve the efficiency of their use of these devices, including establishing statewide contracts, adopting cell phone plans that allow employees to share minutes, and using only one provider of cell phone services to obtain additional savings over the state contract.

We also identified areas where agencies could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their management of cell phones and other devices. We believe if all agencies were to adopt the recommendations contained in this audit, the state should be able to reduce its total expenditures on cell phones and pagers by at least 10%, resulting in estimated savings of over $800,000 annually.
To read the full audit

Since the beginning I have stood by the conviction that government must live within its means and prioritize its spending of the people’s money, yet unfortunately, the current trend is to spend frivolously and pass on unfunded obligations to future generations.
                           
Since I came to the South Carolina Senate in 2005, I have seen government spending grow by over 40%. The Assembly took the massive increase in tax receipts from 2004, 2005, 2006 and spent every dime. I have fought consistently with other like-minded senators to eliminate wasteful spending by either returning more money to you, the taxpayer, or setting aside revenue for budget shortage years like this year. We were successful in a few tax cuts, yet most of the funds were recklessly spent.
                              
This year there is a revenue shortfall and while the Assembly was forced to cut spending, this year’s budget still robs $100 million from the Medicaid trust fund and creates a $161 million annualization hole in the State’s budget. We have $20 billion in unfunded liabilities in state employee benefits. Governor Sanford was compelled to take out his line-item-veto pen 64 times to eliminate spending on programs outside the core mission of our government agencies. He has recommended that we restore agencies like Corrections and health care to full funding, and I agree that should be our priority.
                              
With these issues looming, I felt it necessary to stand for fiscal responsibility and support the majority of Governor Sanford’s vetoes.
                          
Although painful, these cuts are necessary to prevent future disasters from occurring. Unfortunately, the General Assembly has over-ridden most of these vetoes and our future problems will come home to roost as expected.
                             
You may read the messages on each veto by following this link:

http://www.scgovernor.com/NR/rdonlyres/4DC4D616-100B-48CC-B0E5-52F6B8533331/0/H4800GeneralAppropriationsBill.pdf
                                       
I chose to sustain all line item vetoes except for the following: 11-Bureau of Protective Services; 17-State Guard Operating Expenses; 23-Long Term Facility Reimbursement; 24-Carry Forward DHHS Dental Reimbursement; 27-Public Nursing Facilities; 28-Nursing Services to High Risk/High Tech Children; 30-Teen Pregnancy Prevention
                            
I appreciate the opportunity to serve you in the South Carolina Senate and find it necessary to make these tough choices as long as we are commended to be stewards over the funds that belong to you, the taxpayer.
                       

It’s 102 miles to Anderson
Big Brother’s got a full pocket of money
The taxpayers’ pockets are empty
It’s sine die, and the people are safe until January

I offered 2 amendments relating to publicly owned utilities and the customers they serve outside of the municipal boundaries.
1-The Public Service Commission (PSC) may have jurisdiction over utility rates if the customer is outside the political boundary and if the customer is being charged a different rate than that of customers within the boundary.

2-Publicly owned utilities will not be allowed to force customers to sign an annexation agreement before having services connection.Since it has been impossible to get the bills I’ve introduced moving, I am forced to seek vehicles that I can amend. It is a stretch that H. 4745 was related. The amendments were to be ruled “non-germane” according to rule 24-A, therefore I was forced to withdraw the amendments. Perhaps we can see justice for these constituents being taken advantage of in the future.

I’ve been determined to follow through on this inequality since I learned of these practices several years ago. You may like to see this post (annexation manipulation) and this one (American Concrete gets tread on).