STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
MARK SANFORD, GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:        Joel Sawyer
       803-734-2100
       jsawyer@gov.sc.gov

Governor Sanford Announces Stimulus Transparency Group
COMPTROLLER GENERAL ECKSTROM TO CHAIR GROUP
OVERSEEING STIMULUS IMPLEMENTATION

Columbia, S.C. – March 12, 2009 – Governor Mark Sanford today announced a new task force charged with overseeing the expenditure of stimulus money in South Carolina.

The group, to be chaired by Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, will be established by Executive Order and comprised of agency heads whose departments are affected by stimulus dollars. The group will be charged with protecting taxpayers by making sure stimulus dollars are spent in a transparent and accountable fashion. In addition, the group will coordinate spending across agencies to minimize duplication, and will work to implement best practices by other states on that front. Comptroller General Eckstrom will be setting up a Web site so citizens can track how the stimulus funds are spent.

“We’ve been clear that this stimulus package is a mistake for a host of reasons, but the reality is that the vast majority of these funds are programmatic in nature and are coming to our state whether we like it or not,” Gov. Sanford said. “That being the case, we think it makes sense for taxpayers to be able to see exactly how these dollars are being spent, and I want to thank the Comptroller for taking on this task.”

The Comptroller General has joined the governor in leading on transparency issues in the past, working with the Governor’s Office to put all state spending information online last year for the first time ever.

“Taxpayers will be paying an extremely high price for this massive government spending program,” Eckstrom said. “We’re putting processes in place in South Carolina to inform taxpayers how this money is being spent once it arrives. Our most important task is to establish strong controls to prevent wasteful or corrupt use of the billions of dollars earmarked for SC.

-#####-

Dear Friends,
Sen. Jim DeMint has said many times “we’re going from a debate of liberal vs. conservative to a debate of socialism vs. freedom.” If you agree with Sen. DeMint, here’s an excellent opportunity for conservatives to get involved at the political grassroots level. The Anderson County Republican Party will have its precinct reorganization. At precinct reorganization,we elect delegates to the Anderson County Republican Party Convention. At the County Convention we elect county officers and we elect delegates to the State Convention. Also, the County Convention is a great time to network with other Republican activists and hear from potential candidates in the upcoming 2010 elections. I hope to see you at precinct reorganization! 

What: Anderson County Republican Party Precinct Reorganization

When: March 16th 7:00 p.m.

Where: Anderson Civic Center

Doors will open at 6:15 with precinct reorganization beginning promptly at 7 p.m. Remember you will need to bring your voter registration card. There is no charge to you for precinct reorganization but there will be a $5 charge if you plan to be a delegate to the county convention in order to help cover expenses. Our county convention will be held at T L Hanna High School on Highway 81N on Monday, April 20th.

Also, you will need to have any resolutions prepared in written form to be presented to your precinct for consideration on March 16th. From the reorganization they will go to a resolutions committee to be presented at the county convention for a vote by the delegates. If you have questions on this procedure you may call Lee Rogers, ACRP Chairman at 864-353-3113.

If you were a precinct President in 2007 please remember you need to be present to lead your precinct on March 16th. All information you will need for the evening will be handed to you at the door when you arrive.

For questions regarding the reorganization you may call Susan Aiken at 934-3588 or 226-3299 or you may  email to saiken@bellsouth.net.

*Please note if you are unable to attend you can go to the makeup day on March 28th  from 10 -11 a.m. at the following locations:

Chick Fil A – Greenville Street Location
Daniel T. Cooper Library – Powdersville
Lander Memorial Library –  located between Pelzer and Williamston
Iva Library – Iva

H. 3583 was originally introduced to give school districts the ability to waive the missed days because of the recent snow. In the Senate today, the debate turned into a great debate of flexibility in general. Sen. Greg Ryberg offered an interesting amendment that unfortunately failed. His amendment removed the 180 day requirement and allows the number of school days a determination of the local school board. As I’ve always said, I’m in favor of reducing the amount of regulation on our teachers, principles, and administrators from the state level. I also support choice and competition. Switching the accountability from Columbia to the parents is the most sensible remedy to solve our education problems. The bill received 2nd reading today allowing for all school districts to give up to 3 days off, mainly because of budget restrictions.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
MARK SANFORD, GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:        Joel Sawyer
       803-734-2100
       jsawyer@gov.sc.gov

Governor Sanford: Use Stimulus to Pay Down State Debt
GOVERNOR TO ASK WHITE HOUSE FOR WAIVER
TO PAY DOWN STATE LIABILITIES

Columbia, S.C. – March 11, 2009 – Governor Mark Sanford today announced his decision on seeking roughly $700 million in stimulus money under his discretion, saying he will ask for a waiver from the White House so that the stimulus money can be used to pay down the state’s debts and contingent liabilities.

Governor Sanford has opposed the federal stimulus package because he doesn’t believe we should spend money we don’t have, because we shouldn’t pass on a substantial bill for today’s government services on to future generations, and because the massive run-up in government spending could devalue the American dollar.

Only about one quarter of the $2.8 billion slated to be spent in South Carolina comes under the governor’s discretion, with the rest being programmatic funding that comes to the state through formulas. The governor said since the federal spending represents more in the way of accumulated debt, it makes sense for South Carolina to be able to use the money to pay off existing debts taxpayers are already on the hook for, rather than funding ongoing government needs.

“Families and small businesses across South Carolina are making incredibly difficult choices without the benefit of checks from Washington D.C., and in the long run we believe these stimulus funds will be better used in shoring up our state debts, which over time will have a stronger impact on the state economy, ” Gov. Sanford said. “Just as this stimulus bill piles debt upon future generations, we have substantial unpaid for political promises at the state level that will prove to be equally burdensome on future generations of South Carolinians. For that reason, we believe it fitting for us to be granted flexibility with these stimulus dollars to indeed begin the process of addressing those substantial debts so that future generations aren’t stuck with the double pain of paying back unsustainable federal and state spending.”

South Carolina currently has roughly $20 billion in unfunded political promises in its retirement system, and stands at number one in the entire Southeast in per capita debt.  The state is 57 percent above the Southeastern average and three times higher than neighboring Georgia in its per capita debt load.  The proposed stimulus dollars would annualize – spend one time money on recurring needs – over $1.2 billion in the next two years, which amounts to approximately 10 percent of the state’s budget. This level of new annualized spending would be the largest recorded level of annualizations in state history.

-###-

Left to Right; Nic McMillan-Jr. Adviser, Annakate Waters- Chapter President, me, Zach Sullivan-Treasurer, Tyler Walters-Chapter Vice President, and Jay Copelan- Chapter Adviser

Had a great visit with FFA (Future Farmers of America) last week. I was impressed with their interest in government and the knowledge the brought with them on the issues. As always, visitors from Anderson are a breath of fresh air in Columbia!