SC

Think Tank Challenged On Transparency

Several Republican activists in South Carolina are urging the leader of a “conservative” think tank to disclose her income – consistent with her organization’s (latest) rallying cry against the S.C. General Assembly. In fact they’ve started a Twitter tag – #AshleysIncome – in an effort to get Ashley Landess, leader…

Several Republican activists in South Carolina are urging the leader of a “conservative” think tank to disclose her income – consistent with her organization’s (latest) rallying cry against the S.C. General Assembly.

In fact they’ve started a Twitter tag – #AshleysIncome – in an effort to get Ashley Landess, leader of the S.C. Policy Council, to cough up that information.

“She has gone to great lengths to manipulate and harass conservative members of the legislature, so it’s time she adhered to the same level of over-reaching transparency,” one of the activists told FITS. “If she is so confident, why should she not be transparent as well?”

Landess earned $114,001 in 2009 – which was the last year info was available (at least the last time we checked).

The S.C. Policy Council – which has veered to the left of the political spectrum in recent months – is also under scrutiny for its role in lobbying on specific legislation, something it is technically forbidden from doing given its tax-exempt status.

All that aside, this website has consistently supported income disclosure requirements for all elected officials and political appointees. In fact we’ve been pushing for greater transparency in state government for the better part of the last decade. As for disclosure by tax-exempt organizations, a lot of that is already required. In fact we previously obtained information on Landess’ salary – and other S.C. Policy Council financial info – from prior public filings.

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34 comments

Jay Ellington July 25, 2013 at 12:09 pm

Sadly, that’s one of the better images of her I’ve ever seen. Giving Debbie Wasserman Schultz a run for her money in the Fugly Marathon.

Reply
Jan July 25, 2013 at 1:22 pm

The pot said of the kettle.

Reply
Jay Ellington July 25, 2013 at 1:37 pm

Is that you Ashley?

Reply
The Ghost of Fat Greg Dulli July 25, 2013 at 12:09 pm

Sadly, that’s one of the better images of her I’ve ever seen. Giving Debbie Wasserman Schultz a run for her money in the Fugly Marathon.

Reply
Jan July 25, 2013 at 1:22 pm

The pot said of the kettle.

Reply
The Ghost of Fat Greg Dulli July 25, 2013 at 1:37 pm

Is that you Ashley?

Reply
Torch July 25, 2013 at 12:20 pm

Nikki’s eyes on Mark wondering how he is in the sack. Wondering how he bagged Maria.

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Sailor July 25, 2013 at 12:30 pm

You took the words right out of my mouth!

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bogart July 25, 2013 at 5:38 pm

I just saw Sanford on the news…he had gone into the Chamber to vote wearing shorts,t shirt and tennis shoes…he had to leave because coat and tie is required. Someone said he must have just come in from a run on the Appalachian trail….Sanford lives in la la land.

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Torch July 25, 2013 at 12:20 pm

Nikki’s eyes on Mark wondering how he is in the sack. Wondering how he bagged Maria.

Reply
Sailor July 25, 2013 at 12:30 pm

You took the words right out of my mouth!

Reply
bogart July 25, 2013 at 5:38 pm

I just saw Sanford on the news…he had gone into the Chamber to vote wearing shorts,t shirt and tennis shoes…he had to leave because coat and tie is required. Someone said he must have just come in from a run on the Appalachian trail….Sanford lives in la la land.

Reply
Vanguard16 July 25, 2013 at 12:56 pm

Disclose your donors, Fits!

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Vanguard16 July 25, 2013 at 12:56 pm

Disclose your donors, Fits!

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? July 25, 2013 at 1:11 pm

Looks like the podium speaker need some prunes in her diet.

I suppose the financial enema she’s about to receive may substitute.

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off color July 25, 2013 at 1:45 pm

I think Sanford farted and she just got a whif.
Haley is thinking, same thing he did when I got him off!

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? July 25, 2013 at 10:24 pm

So should we refer to her as the leader of a stink tank instead?

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? July 25, 2013 at 1:11 pm

Looks like the podium speaker need some prunes in her diet.

I suppose the financial enema she’s about to receive may substitute.

Reply
off color July 25, 2013 at 1:45 pm

I think Sanford farted and she just got a whif.
Haley is thinking, same thing he did when I got him off!

Reply
? July 25, 2013 at 10:24 pm

So should we refer to her as the leader of a stink tank instead?

Reply
Lewis July 25, 2013 at 1:47 pm

You’ll get transparency in the SC Policy Council right after Bobby Harrell coughs up his true records, Steve Benjamin reveals his true real estate partnerships and Jean Toal tells the state what really goes on in her office and her connections to so many legislators.

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Lewis July 25, 2013 at 1:47 pm

You’ll get transparency in the SC Policy Council right after Bobby Harrell coughs up his true records, Steve Benjamin reveals his true real estate partnerships and Jean Toal tells the state what really goes on in her office and her connections to so many legislators.

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Finius Nullis July 25, 2013 at 5:54 pm

Ashley looks like a snarling Jack Russell Terrier—
Nikki is thinking why didn’t Mark boink me—
Mark is attempting to get a peek at Nikki’s pips—

Reply
Finius Nullis July 25, 2013 at 5:54 pm

Ashley looks like a snarling Jack Russell Terrier—
Nikki is thinking why didn’t Mark boink me—
Mark is attempting to get a peek at Nikki’s pips—

Reply
Citizen Kane July 25, 2013 at 7:08 pm

Will, you make a fool of yourself.

Policy Council “veered to the left…” Whaaa? How much more right-wing can you get? Nothing can please Will Folks. Ashley Landess’s salary? So. . . Maybe $110,000 or $120,000 or thereabouts?

Who cares???

How about an in-depth Fits article on one of our crooked legislators eating like hogs at the public trough, like these “top ten” bums:

The State, June 22, 2013
What SC state legislators earn from the public
By C. Michael Bergen

1. Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort: $2.3 million
2. Sen. Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson: $1.6 million
3. Rep. Chris Murphy, R-Dorchester: $1.1 million
4. Rep. Jenny Horne, R-Dorchester: $878,428
5. Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter: $837,293
6. Sen. Paul Thurmond, R-Charleston: $751,832
7. Rep. Tommy Pope, R-York: $712,154
8. Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Horry: $518,426
9. Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston: $372,400
10. Sen. Ronnie Cromer, R-Newberry: $334,324

CAPITOL ETHICS ?

State Sen. Hugh Leatherman:
— Did not disclose: $735,000 in state contracts awarded to a company Leatherman partially owns. Says he does not control the company and has no knowledge of its contracts.

State Rep. Kris Crawford
— Did not disclose: $28,000 in Medicaid payments. The physician says he does not know when Medicaid pays for a patient’s care.

State Rep. B.R. Skelton
— Did not disclose: His $22,900 legislative salary — $114,500 for five years — until asked by a reporter. Says he did not know he had to.

???

Do you know. . .

What state official received almost $30,000 in tickets last year, including $28,000 for football games? Click here:

http://www.thestate.com/2013/06/22/2830806/sc-lawmakers-report-getting-195k.html

What state senator’s business was paid $1.6 million by Medicaid and the insurance
program for state workers? Click here:

http://www.thestate.com/2013/06/22/2830831/what-sc-state-legislators-earn.html

What lawmakers reported the most money from public sources? Click here:

http://www.thestate.com/2013/06/22/2830831/what-sc-state-legislators-earn.html

A new database allows you to search your legislator’s public-sector earnings, businesses, travel and gifts. Click here:

http://www.thestate.com/sei/

Reply
Citizen Kane July 25, 2013 at 7:08 pm

Will, you make a fool of yourself.

Policy Council “veered to the left…” Whaaa? How much more right-wing can you get? Nothing can please Will Folks. Ashley Landess’s salary? So. . . Maybe $110,000 or $120,000 or thereabouts?

Who cares???

How about an in-depth Fits article on one of our crooked legislators eating like hogs at the public trough, like these “top ten” bums:

The State, June 22, 2013
What SC state legislators earn from the public
By C. Michael Bergen

1. Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort: $2.3 million
2. Sen. Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson: $1.6 million
3. Rep. Chris Murphy, R-Dorchester: $1.1 million
4. Rep. Jenny Horne, R-Dorchester: $878,428
5. Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter: $837,293
6. Sen. Paul Thurmond, R-Charleston: $751,832
7. Rep. Tommy Pope, R-York: $712,154
8. Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Horry: $518,426
9. Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston: $372,400
10. Sen. Ronnie Cromer, R-Newberry: $334,324

CAPITOL ETHICS ?

State Sen. Hugh Leatherman:
— Did not disclose: $735,000 in state contracts awarded to a company Leatherman partially owns. Says he does not control the company and has no knowledge of its contracts.

State Rep. Kris Crawford
— Did not disclose: $28,000 in Medicaid payments. The physician says he does not know when Medicaid pays for a patient’s care.

State Rep. B.R. Skelton
— Did not disclose: His $22,900 legislative salary — $114,500 for five years — until asked by a reporter. Says he did not know he had to.

???

Do you know. . .

What state official received almost $30,000 in tickets last year, including $28,000 for football games? Click here:

http://www.thestate.com/2013/06/22/2830806/sc-lawmakers-report-getting-195k.html

What state senator’s business was paid $1.6 million by Medicaid and the insurance
program for state workers? Click here:

http://www.thestate.com/2013/06/22/2830831/what-sc-state-legislators-earn.html

What lawmakers reported the most money from public sources? Click here:

http://www.thestate.com/2013/06/22/2830831/what-sc-state-legislators-earn.html

A new database allows you to search your legislator’s public-sector earnings, businesses, travel and gifts. Click here:

http://www.thestate.com/sei/

Reply
edr July 25, 2013 at 7:50 pm

SHE MADE 112,800 ON 2011 TAX RETURN FORM 990

Reply
Frank July 25, 2013 at 8:17 pm

The point here is that outside influences are affecting our state, seems only fair they disclose their donors. I never pay attention to anyone in the public arena that does not disclose their income.

Reply
edr July 25, 2013 at 7:50 pm

SHE MADE 112,800 ON 2011 TAX RETURN FORM 990

Reply
Frank July 25, 2013 at 8:17 pm

The point here is that outside influences are affecting our state, seems only fair they disclose their donors. I never pay attention to anyone in the public arena that does not disclose their income.

Reply
Polyphemos July 25, 2013 at 11:44 pm

About the RBS Heritage invitations and tickets. When state bigs show up, it makes the Heritage look good. When they don’t show up is when it’s bad. Now if some of you WANT to go to a Scottish party and eat haggis, got for it, but it’s not worth $1,500.

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Slartibartfast July 25, 2013 at 11:44 pm

About the RBS Heritage invitations and tickets. When state bigs show up, it makes the Heritage look good. When they don’t show up is when it’s bad. That’s why such events give out comps. Now if some of you WANT to go to a Scottish party and eat haggis, go for it, but it’s not worth $1,500. The people who go already know each other, so it’s not that big a hob-nob deal, either. This is as stupid as the airplane kerfuffle. “Oh, my, they flew in a state plane.. oh, I’m going to have a kitten!”

Reply
afmajret July 26, 2013 at 10:04 pm

They all look like they’re trying to keep their heads from imploding as all of the air is sucked out of the room.

Reply
afmajret July 26, 2013 at 10:04 pm

They all look like they’re trying to keep their heads from imploding as all of the air is sucked out of the room.

Reply

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