fyi: The amendment Gov. Haley is referring to was an opportunity to pass registration by party. Also, S. 1 contains language that suppresses free speech. Click here, here, and here to see my thoughts on restricting your 1st amendment rights.

from Gov. Haley:
Yesterday was a sad day for the South Carolina Republican Party.

Eight of our Republican Senators voted to kill true ethics reform, and to keep in place our current, corrupt system of legislators investigating legislators. It’s shameful.

The good news is we still have time to change it.

But we need your help, and the help of all the good, real Republicans across South Carolina.

Please make sure every Republican knows the name of these eight Senators:

Senator Lee Bright (803) 212-6008leebright@scsenate.gov
Senator Kevin Bryant: (803) 212-6320 kevinbryant@scsenate.gov
Senator Paul Campbell (803) 212-6016 paulcampbell@scsenate.gov
Senator Ray Cleary (803) 212-6040raycleary@scsenate.gov
Senator Tom Corbin (803) 212-6100tomcorbin@scsenate.gov
Senator Hugh Leatherman (803) 212-6640 sfincomm@scsenate.gov
Senator Shane Martin (803) 212-6100shanemartin@scsenate.gov
Senator Luke Rankin (803) 212-6410lukerankin@scsenate.gov

And please make sure they reach out and ask them this: what have they been doing that makes them fight so hard to cover up their actions? What are they scared of? We all deserve to know.

There is no acceptable excuse. My very best, Nikki

Scholarship Funding Organizations (or SGO’s Scholarship Granting Organizations) are those designated charities which award grants to exceptional needs children attending eligible schools.

• Be South Carolina based 501(c)3 tax exempted non-profit corporations
• Spend 95 percent of their income on grants
• Not have felons, bankruptcy filers or recipient parents serving as directors, volunteers, contractors, consultants, or fundraisers
• Award grants to students at two or more eligible schools
• Complete an annual comprehensive audit and provide it the Secretary of State and Education Oversight Committee (EOC)
• Not release personally identifiable information pertaining to students or donors or use information collected for financial gain
• Not place conditions on schools enrolling students receiving scholarships to limit the ability of the schools to enroll students accepting grants from other SFOs

Security Freezes for Protected Consumers
Protected Consumers in South Carolina now have a right to place a “security freeze” on their credit reports. A security freeze stops potential creditors and other third parties from accessing a protected consumer’s credit report without their consent. Protected consumers include anyone under the age of sixteen at the time the request is made, or anyone who is incapacitated for whom a guardian has been appointed.
To place a security freeze, submit a request to a consumer reporting agency below. Sufficient proof of identification for the protected consumer will be required. A freeze will be placed within 30 days of the CRA receiving the completed request.
To request a freeze, log on to any of the following CRA websites:

• www.experian.com/freeze, or call 1-888-397-3742
• http://freeze.transunion.com, or call 1-888-909-8872
• https://www.freeze.equifax.com
The freeze will remain in effect until the protected consumer or guardian decides otherwise. A pin number will be provided when the freeze is placed, and can be used to thaw or lift the freeze. There is no fee to place or remove a freeze on a protected consumer in South Carolina.
For more information on protecting against ID Theft, visit the “Identity Theft Resources” page at www.consumer.sc.gov.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South Carolina Club for Growth Foundation Releases the State of the Legislature
Names 11 Taxpayer Heroes in its annual Legislative Scorecards

COLUMBIA, S.C. –After Governor Haley’s State of the State address last night, the South Carolina Club for Growth Foundation released its State of the Legislature (2013-2014 Legislative Scorecards). It named 11 Taxpayer Heroes and 117 Taxpayer Nightmares based on their voting records since January of 2013. Scorecards can be found by clicking here.

With 26 Senate votes and 21 House votes, this scorecard is based on 100 possible points for each member. Those scoring an “A” or “B+” earned the title “Taxpayer Hero”. Those legislators scoring a “F” earned the title “Taxpayer Nightmare”.

Club Chairman Dave Ellison said, “Hardworking South Carolinians don’t have the time to monitor each vote. These scorecards show if what is said on the campaign trail or at home matches up with what is done in Columbia. We are proud to give taxpayers this valuable tool that show how a legislator truly feels about spending, reform and other pro-growth issues.”

Scores are based on a thorough analysis of the over 3,000 votes taken last session with a focus on the budget process, government reform and restructuring, and pro or anti-growth policies.

A pro-growth vote received the maximum number of points, while a vote against the pro-growth position received no points. In certain circumstances, points were deducted from legislators for changing a vote. If a legislator went on record as abstaining from a vote – due to a conflict of interest – that vote was not factored into their total score.

The SC Club for Growth Foundation Scorecard only looks at votes on the floor of the Senate and House or Representatives. It does not take into consideration a legislators work outside of the chambers.

2014 Fast Facts: Senate: -The average Republican score was 51 -The average Democrat score was 7
Taxpayer Heroes in the Senate: Shane Massey, Lee Bright, Kevin Bryant, Paul Thurmond
House of Representatives: -The average Republican score was 45 -The average Democrat score was 5
Taxpayer Heroes in the House: Ralph Norman, Garry Smith, Deborah Long, Eric Bedingfield, Bill Chumley, Nathan Ballentine, Tommy Stringer
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