Dum Spiro Spero
October 28, 2009 | 1 Comment
Photo: Artwork, Jim Booth
Is it the dawn of a new era for South Carolina politics?
For the past two days, our state has seen members of the House and Senate vote unanimously for two very important pieces of legislation for our citizens.
Yes, you read that correctly – unanimously.
Republicans and Democrats alike. Representatives and Senators, too. Governor Mark Sanford even gave words of praise for all parties .
It’s days like these that give me, and others, hope that working TOGETHER we can accomplish much more for our people and state than working against each other.
Just like when I walk the grounds of our State House to the chamber , words cannot really express what I feel may be happening in our state. Leaders working in unison to do the heavy-lifting we’ve been asked to do for our people.
Let’s see how these final chapters unfold in the last session of 118th General Assembly. I’d love to see how far we’ve come by June.
While I breathe, I hope.
UPDATED (10:40pm) > here’s a similar view from my friend across the aisle, Representative Anton Gunn
Term Limits: From SC to DC?
October 27, 2009 | 1 Comment
I was catching up on news around our state today and noticed US Senator Jim DeMint’s blog and his post about filing a term-limit bill for Congress.
Good job, Senator. I agree.
Nathan’s News readers may recall December of last year when I considered filing a companion bill to SC Senator Ray Cleary’s bill. Based on the feedback I received, and similar beliefs shared that Senator DeMint wrote about today, I filed that bill last January.
DeMint proposes 6 years in US House and 12 years in US Senate.
My proposal is 12 year SC House and 16 years in SC Senate.
Amazingly, my bill has been ignored even though my proposal excludes “time served” prior to January 2009 (did that in HOPES current members would support because their time doesn’t even count yet).
I plan to ask for a hearing when we return in January. Maybe Senator Demint can testify here in his home state?
The argument against term limits of “losing institutional knowledge” or “losing good people” is outweighed, in my opinion, by the belief that there are plenty of talented people in our state willing and capable to serve in office and also the fact that absolute power can corrupt.
Staying focused on our people and our state
October 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment
By now, everyone knows that the SC General Assembly returns to Columbia tomorrow for an “extended session”. The question on many people’s mind is WHAT exactly are we going to do during these few days.
One thing we won’t be doing is getting paid (well, some members may opt to take a per-diem but that is their decision to accept or decline. I am declining; but to be fair, I do live in town and get to come home every night while others have to stay in hotels.)
The obvious (and most immediate) action-item is to quickly remedy the situation regarding the extension of unemployment benefits to thousands in our state. Ultimately this should be an easy vote for the General Assembly. First, the stimulus debate has been fought – and lost. Second, we were only one vote short of passing a bill earlier this year that would have actually avoided the problem we now must address this week. Had it not been for “other reasons” (some members thumbing their nose at our Governor) we would not have even had to come back to do this. It would have been done already.
A larger question is: Do we take this time to actually reform the Employment Security Commission and the way our state handles unemployment issues?
I would argue “yes”. Without putting reforms in place NOW, the extension of these benefits with no other changes is just another stop-gap measure that will mean the issue will again have to be addressed at a later date. Last week I shared information from the Governor’s Unemployment Roundtable and, among several items that stood out, was the fact that several states continue to borrow money to pay for unemployment benefits/issues.
When will leaders have vision to look beyond election-cycles and do what is in the best interest of the “long haul” (and our state)?
Of course, some other items may come up too. Many would argue pursuing this matter, at this time, is not staying focused on our people and our state. Others would argue that taking action now could save valuable time next session – time when we should be focused on our people and our state instead of other matters.
Next session we will be hard-pressed to see action on other important items. With the budget situation we currently face, an election year for all 124 House Members , unemployment issues and a slew of other items left on our plate – focusing on hard work this week may be best for the “long haul”.
We shall see though.
Meet Lauren Koon: Dutch Fork Homecoming Queen 2009
October 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Our community has seen two of our three schools post impressive records this year and all three have had impressive homecoming festivities!
Dutch Fork’s Homecoming Queen is Miss Lauren Koon (blue dress pictured above). Tonight I’m proud to share her and her homecoming court on Nathan’s News.
Lauren is a Senior and a member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church .
She’s also a Varsity Cheerleader and a captain of the squad. In addtion to cheering for the Silver Foxes, she cheers for ACX All-Stars.
Her parents are David and Terri Koon.
I’m always wanting to share the accomplishments of the neighbors and friends in our area. Many I witness first-hand, others I need your help to keep me informed! To view other members of our community posted this year, visit the links below. Also, if you have someone you’d like to share with me and the community, please feel free to forward a photo and information to me!
Warren Bolton: 2010 SC African American History Calendar
Nancy Ogburn: President, Tomato Palms, LLC
Darren Norrs: SORD International
David Jameson: Chairman, Columbia Area Mental Health Center
Spirit of Lake Murray: Maiden Voyage
Stephen Davis: Former NFL Pro Bowler Gives Back
Patrick Cobb: AARP Communications Director
Gordon Ziesing: Athletic Ambassador
It’s not gonna fix itself
October 20, 2009 | 4 Comments
Today I joined several of my House/Senate colleagues (from both parties) to learn more about just how much work lies ahead of us to fix unemployment in our state.
Before I was elected, it seemed easy enough. Go recruit business to our state and create jobs. Simple.
Apparently, it ain’t that simple!
While recruiting business is a good start; I’ve since learned that part of the challenge is getting people BACK to work and keeping the unemployment fund solvent (without increasing taxes now up to $567 per employee, which has been mentioned).
You’ve probably heard a lot about the Employment Security Commission and how the issue of our state’s unemployment problem (like every other issue known to man) involves a lot of finger pointing back-and-forth as to who WAS the problem, who IS the problem, and who IS to be blamed and who CAN fix it.
We can keep on finger-pointing or the elected officials in the House/Senate can do the “heavy lifting” and fix it….now….much later than we should have.
We tried reforms last year but those were defeated. We’ve now got more information at our hands and so it’s time to finish (start) fixin’ it. I’m still sorting through information from today and this past session…and let me tell you, I am not the expert here, far from it. We’ve actually had several folks looking into this for some time but “a fix” hasn’t happened yet. That’s gonna change.
Next week we’ve been called back to address a “stimulus problem” dealing with unemployment but it’s my hope we can do more than that. If not now, when?
Problem is, our Sine Die resolution next week limits what we CAN and CANNOT do when called back. So, if we want to do any work “outside of the federal stimulus” (reforms,etc) it will most likely take a 2/3 vote to amend the Sine Die resolution. If we start down that road, will we then get distracted with a possible impeachment resolution that requires 2/3 vote as well to be considered?
I don’t have today’s Commerce presentation ready for you on Nathan’s News but here’s a link that has very similar data (2006-2008) that we saw today. You can see what we’re looking at.
For many, Unemployment is viewed as “You lost your job through no fault of your own, you get help”.
That’s not necessarily the case. There are recipients who “Voluntary Quit”, who are paid with “Employer Filed Claims” (usually temporary layoffs, seasonal) and “Misconduct”. You read that correctly – misconduct.
From the report today, 22.8% of the claims from Jan 2006 – June 2009 were for misconduct. 56% of those claims received pay. (Had SC not paid any misconduct claims, we’d had saved $384 million since 2006) What was the misconduct? That’s what I’m wondering. So are my colleagues.
What about “Voluntary Quit”? 10.1% of claims were those and 19% of those were paid. (That’s a “lesser problem” than others but one that should be addressed).
Some more “highlights” I jotted down from today’s roundtable that makes you wonder….
SC is only 1 of 9 states that allows Employer Filed Claims.
SC also is only 1 of 6 states (soon only 1 of 4) that uses the Federal Minimum Wage Base of $7,000. The national average is $14,302 and the national range is from $7,000 to $35,700.
3% of SC employers account for 30% of the claims.
SC is 11th worst in Exhaustion Rates (meaning, we aren’t getting our people OFF unemployment fast enough).
In a nutshell, we need to be sure Commerce, the Employment Security Commission, the Legislature and Governor are working to recruit jobs (actively and through business climate), to manage unemployment claims, to encourage back-to-work (sooner rather than later), and to be sure there are no incentives for employees or employers to abuse the system.
The Palmetto State is not the only one with a monumental task ahead. Currently 22 states are borrowing Federal money to help with unemployment and estimates for 2010 show that as many as 41 states will need Federal Assistance.
As I wrote on Twitter this afternoon…elected officials need vision; not just short-term election-cycle decisions. We didn’t get into this problem overnight. Unfortunately, we probably won’t get out of it overnight either.
Just another example of how officials must look to the greater good of our state and our people and not just re-election efforts.
UPDATED: We’re coming back….
October 14, 2009 | 2 Comments
….in January.
Anyone who’s followed SC politics (or watched the late-night talkshows) knows our state has been in the news this summer. A lot.
No need to rehash all that here. But what I will share with you is the General Assembly won’t be back until our regularly scheduled January session.
Granted, in politics things can change on a dime; but it’s my opinion we won’t be called back into session by the Speaker (for budget or otherwise) until January 2010 – our regular schedule.
Now, for as many folks that are raising cain over that statement, there are many who are applauding the fact that elected officials may actually be focused on “real issues” and not politics.
Look, everyone’s had their chance to be heard on the issue and what we think is best for our state. Whether it’s Democrats, Republicans, allies or foes…resignation ain’t happening.
Governor Sanford has made it pretty clear (ala Dean Smith’s “Four Corners” Strategy) he will stall things in order to keep him in office for the rest of his term. That much is obvious. As frustrating as these events may be for several folks, it actually has worked and bought him enough time that I think we won’t be back until January.
THEN the question becomes do we “bother” to try to make a change at the expense of other pressing matters (and, of course, get blamed by voters for not doing anything substantive next session) or do we try to do the people’s work while riding it out with a wounded, lame-duck Governor?
Not to mention – do all the shenanigans warrant actual impeachment or not? Everyone has their own opinion on that. Most going back to a simple “dereliction of duty” for being absent for 5 days with no contact.
Like most folks, I’d rather our state not be in this position but here’s where we are. So, next week I’ll be joining other leaders to continue work on “real issues”. The Governor is hosting an Unemployment Roundtable with elected leaders and several business/industry leaders. I might add that this year we unfortunately failed in an effort to reform the Employment Security Commission which could have helped our dire unemployment situation. A failure that was simply another in a long list of “political scores”. Don’t get me wrong, those reforms wouldn’t be the “be-all, end-all” to cure what ails our state…but it couldn’t have hurt. The loss that day on the floor was purely out of spite towards the Governor.
So, as much as things change….they stay the same. Sadly, until everyone starts to focus on “people; not politics” – we’ll always get the same results.
UPDATED 10/19 From House Clerk > Due to the recent issues concerning the Employment Security Commission and the distribution of unemployment benefits, the House, pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of the Sine Die Resolution, will be meeting in statewide session on Tuesday, October 27th.
Show me the money!
October 13, 2009 | 2 Comments
Thursday is the deadline when officials (and candidates for higher office) must file their 3rd Qtr Campaign Finance Report .
For most of the state (the 99.9% that is known as “folks in the real world”), this day will come and go (as it should) with no real drama. For the other .1% (politicos, competing candidates, bloggers and other reporters) it actually is given WAY too much significance.
A few blogs have already reported (with some bias, of course) their candidate’s or an opponent’s filings. For those that may not know where to go to see the reports….. here it is .
Of course, remember….money isn’t everything in politics but the general consensus seems to be “if you got it, you flaunt it. If you don’t, you spin it” It’s like throwing out a big drive in golf and saying “come get me”.
Speaking of big drives, who knew an inappropriate “shout out” could drive up donations to the tune of $4,000,000+ for opposing candidates? Pure gold, folks. Go figure.
A word of caution to those who think money means victory though….the saying in golf goes “Drive for show but putt for dough”. When we get closer to primaries and elections, it’s what you do with the money that matters. How you finish, in other words.
Consultants can blow through money (aka “burn rate”) with effective measures or sometimes less-effective ways. Many a candidate has been outspent 10:1 and still scored a victory when it mattered – on Election Day.
What will we see this year on the state and local levels?
Oh..and how could I not mention my bill that’s sitting in committee: Campaign Finance Reform? Just a common-sense approach to shed light on the “dead period” right before election dates and to mandate local officials/candidates for school board, county and city races to disclose on-line like the rest of us. (As the law stands now, those officials/candidates aren’t required to file on-line and no statewide or House/Senate candidate has to disclose anything received the last few weeks before the election.)
I’ve already heard the excuses for wanting the “dead period” to stay intact. (”Strategy” was one word I heard…seriously). I hope the bill can get out of Judiciary committee when we return in January WITHOUT being watered down to still conceal late contributions and spending right before the election.
Think about it, why should money given or spent two weeks before the election not be disclosed until AFTER the election is over? Even the national candidates don’t have this “blackout period”. The General Assembly made strides last year with On-The-Record Voting , let’s take even more steps by disclosing ALL our finances…not just the early money.
Meet Warren Bolton: 2010 SC African American History Calendar
October 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Tonight a member of our community was recognized for his achievements and talents.
The South Carolina African American History 2010 calendar is no longer widely available in printed format. But it is available in digital portable document format (pdf). To learn more about the calendar or to download a copy, visit www.scafricanamerican.com
Our very own, Warren Bolton , is showcased for April.
“Warren Bolton’s insightful, fair and balanced commentary has been a catalyst for
progressive and positive change in the community for almost a decade as associate
editor at The State newspaper. He is among a small percentage of African Americans in
similar roles at daily newspapers in the country.
Bolton began his distinguished journalism career in 1986 as a reporter with the
Columbia Record. In 1988, he joined The State and covered county government for
six years, and in more than nine years as a reporter, covered education, police, courts
and the Legislature. He served as assistant night news editor as well as an assistant
assigning editor before becoming an assigning editor in 1996. He became education
editor in April 1997, and a month later, joined The State’s Editorial Board, its first ever
African-American member. He was promoted to associate editor in January 2000.
He has received numerous awards recognizing his accomplishments including the
Columbia Urban League’s Lincoln C. Jenkins Jr. award for community service and the
Community Service Award from the Midlands Association of Black Journalists in 1998,
the top column writing award from the S.C. Press Association as well as the Ambrose
E. Gonzales Award for excellence in journalism, given by The State in 2000, and the
2008 Press Association’s E.A. Ramsaur award, given to the top editorial writer in
South Carolina.
Bolton is also an associate minister and member at Bethel AME Church in Columbia,
where he and his wife, Tanya, co-chair the church’s Married Couples Ministry. The
Boltons are proud parents of two sons, Alexander and Christopher. Active in the
community, he has volunteered at the Department of Juvenile Justice, the United Way
and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands. A Columbia native and University of
South Carolina graduate, he is the youngest of 11 children born to the late Bertha Mae
Bolton.”
And from today’s State :
“As an associate editor at South Carolina’s largest daily, Warren Bolton has used his editorial platform to argue for progressive change in the community.
After a distinguished career in The State’s newsroom, Bolton became the first African-American to sit on The State’s editorial board in 1997. He often serves as a voice for those who have little or no access to the political power structure.”
Ted Pitts: Service above self
October 6, 2009 | 3 Comments
I got a call today around lunchtime from my friend, Representative Ted Pitts, who told me “I’m heading to Afghanistan!”
Obviously, I was shocked.
We talked first about family and his personal job for a while and then I had to ask him about his political future. He told me “not gonna run for Lt. Governor. Not gonna run for the House again. This is more important!”
Like others in the House ( James Smith and Jim Harrison to name two), Ted will serve our state/country in larger ways while in office. He heads to Fort Stewart this weekend until late November before coming back for a month and then off to Indiana and then Afghanistan in January 2010.
I knew Ted joined the SC National Guard after 9/11 but didn’t know he’d actually get the opportunity to fight the war on terror, overseas. A war we can’t afford to lose and a war much bigger than the “battles” we have in state politics.
Obviously representing GOP voter-rich Lexington County, Ted was seen by many to have a formidable advantage in next year’s Lieutenant Governor’s race. With him no longer on the ballot, it leaves the race wide-open between current-announced GOP candidates Ken Ard , Bill Connor , and Tim Scott .
Please join me and the rest of our citizens in prayers for Ted, his family, and the other men and women putting service above self for our country!
FORE!
October 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment
For the 14th consecutive year, my old high school buds and I (Class of 87, 88) will gather for our annual golf outing. Usually, it’s in Myrtle Beach. Usually, I bring home the “Viking Helmet” (the “award” we give to the guy who finishes last). Usually, I get to put politics behind me for a few days….usually.
I still can’t believe we keep in touch regularly after all these years. Even though it seems the trip gets shorter and shorter, as our lives get busier and busier, we all enjoy the camaraderie and wouldn’t miss this trip for anything (one guy’s wife is due with their first child “any day” now).
If not for this trip, I’d only play maybe 3 rounds of golf a year . First, it’s hard to find the time. Second, golf ain’t cheap.
Thanks for the break this week. I’ll be back to “work” here on Nathans News on Monday with some insight about what I’m hearing about the months ahead for our state.