SC

Exclusive: Palmetto Lawmakers Getting A Billion Dollars In New Money

FIFTEEN PERCENT HIKE IN GENERAL FUND REVENUE PROJECTED Supporters of a gasoline tax hike in South Carolina have a problem … Check that: They’ve got a billion problems. According to ranking members of both the S.C. House of Representatives and the State Senate, the Palmetto State’s budget – already bursting at…

FIFTEEN PERCENT HIKE IN GENERAL FUND REVENUE PROJECTED

Supporters of a gasoline tax hike in South Carolina have a problem …

Check that: They’ve got a billion problems.

According to ranking members of both the S.C. House of Representatives and the State Senate, the Palmetto State’s budget – already bursting at the seams with new money – is projected to balloon by roughly one billion dollars in the coming fiscal year.

Oh, and a huge chunk of this new money – up to $350 million of it, we’re told – is recurring funding, meaning it’s money that is projected to continue flowing into government coffers on an annual basis.

Now … does this sound like the time to raise taxes?  Hell no.

In fact it sounds to us like the time to cut them …

While the state’s mainstream media may never level with you regarding the true size of the spending plan – there’s little concealing the estimates released by the S.C. Board of Economic Advisors (BEA).

Which are scheduled to come out later this week …

Assuming the projections are accurate, we’re looking at a potential 15 percent increase in general fund revenues.  And remember – the general fund is just one of three pots of money that comprise the state spending plan.  Last year the general fund totaled approximately $7 billion – to which lawmakers added $8.3 billion in federal funds (i.e. “manna from heaven”) and $9.4 billion in “other funds” (i.e. monies generated from hundreds of different fees and fines assessed on the people of South Carolina).

And let’s not forget the $1.5 billion that goes toward food stamps (money taken off the books by lawmakers last year).

Add it all up at the current budget – which runs from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 – was roughly $26 billion.  These projections would indicate the FY 2016-17 budget will top $27 billion – another billion-dollar increase.

We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: State government has more than enough money to address infrastructure needs.  And even if it didn’t, it has assets it can sell to raise the money.

Anyone still arguing in favor of a gas tax hike in light of these numbers is simply trying to rob you …

It’s been a rough couple weeks for gas tax hikers.  In addition to this wave of new money, the mainstream media in the Palmetto State has awakened to the rampant corruption in road funding.  Additionally, a national advocacy group signaled its intention to remain engaged in the debate – arguing against new taxes.

UPDATE: Well, well … it’s actually $1.2 billion.

***

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99 comments

Squishy123 November 9, 2015 at 2:43 pm

State employees might see a 0.25% pay raise this year!!!

Reply
Rocky November 9, 2015 at 2:54 pm

Yeah, but Law Makers will give themselves a 1000 percent raise! And piss the rest away on pet pork!

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Government Mule November 9, 2015 at 9:29 pm

It’s .25% too much.

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stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 2:46 pm

we already receive more money from the federal government than we put in, so we should lower our taxes and expect the blue states to fund the tax cut, republicans love their welfare as long as it does not go to the needy.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 3:04 pm

It does go to the needy, Haley, Leatherface, etc !

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flip November 9, 2015 at 3:06 pm

Black Americans make up 32% of welfare recipients, even though they comprise a mere 12% of the US population. So the demographics of welfare recipients are not comparable to the overall demographics of the US. Even more concerning, Black Americans are more than twice as likely to have been on welfare than White Americans.

Sorry cocksucker.Fact is blacks vote 100% Democrat.Red state voters support democrat voters.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 3:34 pm

How many black millionaires were in the United States when slavery was abolished ?

Reply
Nurse Ratched up his meds! November 9, 2015 at 3:55 pm

I can honestly say that is the stupidest question I have ever seen posted on FitsNews.

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jimlewisowb November 9, 2015 at 4:16 pm

nope, one fella posted a question to willie asking him if he had any nakkied photos of the Gypsy Queen

hell, everyone knows the Gypsy Queen is a hole in the sheet sexier, aka a sheet-fcker

http://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/sex/a23230/hole-in-sheet-sex-0613/

LimpBiscuit November 9, 2015 at 6:34 pm

Why do you care? You’re an impotent old fart.

jimlewisowb November 9, 2015 at 6:44 pm

this was posted earlier by #racistsdontmatter jimlewisowb • 10 minutes ago
“Another impotent old white goober”

Could it be that LimpBiscuit and #racistsdontmatter occupy the same body

Where there's smoke.... November 9, 2015 at 7:51 pm

Could it be you are actually impotent? Two different people are saying so…

jimlewisowb November 9, 2015 at 8:01 pm

naw

same person, one sock, two hands on same puppet

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 7:11 pm

Why do you care you’re a limp biscuit ?

stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 5:14 pm

if that is the stupidest question you have ever seen, maybe you should craw out from under your rock more often.

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 6:10 pm

I’m not even close, you must be new.

stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 4:24 pm

your point had nothing to do with my post. spout off anything you want, but lets not even pretend you are replying

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RAkkasan November 9, 2015 at 3:04 pm

How do we pay for SNAP again? Run that by us again

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flip November 9, 2015 at 3:10 pm

Hard working Republican taxpayers pay for your welfare.

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9" November 9, 2015 at 3:11 pm

Another intentionally illogical piece to frustrate thinking people ?

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Rocky Verdad November 9, 2015 at 3:17 pm

Wait. So let me get this straight, according to Tango the economy is in shambles. And according to Flip, the real unemployment rate is 99%. So then how are we getting an additional $1.5 billion in tax revenue? This makes no sense. Someone is lying. Some is full of crap. Humph!!!!??? Could it be Will? Or is it Flip and Tango? I wonder……..

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flip November 9, 2015 at 4:07 pm

In January 2009, there were 80.5 million Americans 16 and over who were not in the labor force. Today, that number is slightly below 93 million. So the number not in the labor force has increased by about 12.5 million.

If you factor this number into the U-6 calculation (and subtract the “marginally attached” category to avoid double counting) you get a back-of-the-envelope rate of 16 percent.

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Bible Thumper November 9, 2015 at 4:22 pm

Where do you count the 8,677,000 new non-farm jobs since January 2009?
http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES0000000001

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2000 same as 2014 November 9, 2015 at 4:23 pm

2014 pew research article.

People 55 and over do, as you might expect, account for more than half of the 85.9 million adults (as of October) who say they don’t want a job — about the same percentage as in 2000. But the 16-to-24 share has edged higher, while the 25-to-54 share has slipped. That could reflect more young adults staying in or returning to school rather than chancing a tough job market.

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Rocky Verdad November 9, 2015 at 5:10 pm

Ooops, facts!!!!

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Rocky Verdad November 9, 2015 at 5:21 pm

A real interesting view is a long term graph. So labor participation starts to jump up around 1970, about the time your generation of old baby-boomers enter the workforce. It continues to climb and then peaks around 1985, when the last of the boomers fully flood the labor market. Oddly, it’s declining just about 45 years after old boomer hit retirement age. Very interesting indeed. And now us tweeners have to pay for your social security for the next 25 years. At least you could say thank you.

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Bible Thumper November 9, 2015 at 5:48 pm

I have said this before.

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Rocky Verdad November 10, 2015 at 7:58 am

I know but it never seems to sink into the dense.

stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 5:58 pm

thanks Rocky

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TARevolution November 9, 2015 at 3:17 pm

Sanford had a $1 billion budget surplus in 2006 (the last of the GREAT Bush economy, before Ds overtook Congress) and Sanford pissed it away, like the Liberal-Tarian he is. And FITSNews kissed Sanford’s ass down to the last cent the Liberal-Tarians wasted.

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Rocky Verdad November 9, 2015 at 3:19 pm

But Pappa, if the economy was so good why didn’t we have one in 2007 and 2008 when Bush was still President? Did W foookit up? Yep he did!!!!!

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TARevolution November 9, 2015 at 4:18 pm

I didn’t say the economy was not good. It just was not GREAT after that. The economy did not tank until Democrats got FULL control in 2008.

Learn how to read Dumbass.

PS: Your question still does nothing to detract from the fact Bush had a great economy. You’ve been one fucked up year after another…to the tune of $18 Trillion in debt, Obamacare expense and higher taxes, inflation, and astronomical gas prices for most of 7 years….EXPLAIN that, Dumbass.

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fairy tales November 9, 2015 at 4:21 pm

For 2-3 years. The rest of the time it sucked for everyone but the rich.

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TARevolution November 9, 2015 at 4:36 pm

At least you admit the 2-3 years. Most Head-up-their-ass liberals will not even concede that much truth. You’re growing. Take a bow.

That said: The economy has been a TOTAL DISASTER for ALL of Obama’s terms. And if we don’t change directions Sharply, we’re in BIG trouble, all because he is such a miserable fuck up.

Rocky Verdad November 9, 2015 at 5:16 pm

Again, if “the economy has been a total disaster for all of Obama’s terms” how is the tax revenue in SC going up so much, since as you know, President Barak Hussien Obama, is still in office. There seems to be a disconnect here.

Rocky Verdad November 9, 2015 at 5:23 pm

Awe screw it – the actual imperical data shows TARav is full of crap. Again!!!

TARevolution November 9, 2015 at 5:44 pm

Republican controlled-states have been able to fight off Democrat destruction. Haley has lured thousands of jobs here. She (or Alan Wilson) had to fight – and beat Obama- to do it. But we did.

Just think how we’d BOOM, if we did not have the yoke of the federal government choking us…along with Obama’s $18 Trillion in debt? Not to mention $1 billion is a lot less with Obama’s HORRIBLE inflation.

Anyway: like Texas, the least Democrat State in the Union, and the most prosperous. Ain’t it funny how Conservatism makes for a robust economy, but all Liberalism ever does is fail?

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 6:15 pm

Ever lived in Texas, have any idea how many illegals work there for 2 dollars ?

TARevolution November 9, 2015 at 6:49 pm

None…many of them, if not half, are Republicans, and LOVE America, not hate it , like you and Obama.

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 7:06 pm

They love America since the labor is cheep, even better they don’t have to go to China.

TARevolution November 9, 2015 at 8:03 pm

Kinda mixing up your mythology, aren’t you Dumbass?…LMAO…

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 9:50 pm

Bring your crap anytime

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 7:29 pm

They do love the USA, and they are comming to better themselves. Key word for ya. “BETTER THEMSELVES” so why do you whine ? They work, you don’t ! Just because you’re white does not mean a free pass, LMAO !

TARevolution November 9, 2015 at 8:01 pm

I’m not whining you Brain-Dead Fuck. I’m telling you that any productive immigrant to the US will tell you to get Fucked, and get off your lazy Democrat ass…and help pull the wagon…They don’t want to pay for your sloth, either.

They wnt you to contribute, instead of bitching about racism, sexism, homophobia, and all the other Busllshit you use to attack America with…and make excuses as to why you are a fucking blood-sucking parasite.

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 8:31 pm

I can teach you how to live in the new world order. Just ask with enthusiasm !

You lie...like Ben. November 9, 2015 at 6:32 pm

Like Kansas? Also, Texas will be a blue state in a few years. Might even go purple in 2016.
Republicans only have a record of failure to run on. That’s just one of many reasons they have zero chance of winning the White House anytime soon.

TARevolution November 9, 2015 at 6:48 pm

Half the Hispanic population in Texas votes R. After they get here, begin working and earning, and realizing how GREAT America is, they turn their back on you America HATERS. Nobody wants to fund trashy Democrat policies.

I have a feeling your importation of America-Haters, will backfire on you, Dumbass.

dwb619 November 9, 2015 at 10:12 pm

fluffer

American People November 9, 2015 at 3:23 pm

8.5 Billion dollars from the Federal government?
SC is like one giant GramdTango.

Reply
SC Politcians November 9, 2015 at 4:02 pm

We be ghettofabulous up here in dis hood. Don’t cramp our style and pass the Royal Crown Grand Tango!

Living da EBT lifestyle. Crown Royal, EBT, 24″ rims, & bitches like Haley who work the soul pole like a white hooker looking fo her next meth score.

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TARevolution November 9, 2015 at 4:55 pm

You’re very boring and flat. And you can’t learn creativity. You’re either born with it or not. I’m afraid you’re shit out of luck. (:

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American People November 9, 2015 at 5:25 pm

There’s GrandTango. How come you use that profile instead of GrandTango?
You still say the same moronic crap.

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stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 7:48 pm

just can’t bring yourself to thank me for turning you to seasick steve, you know that is being weak don’t you?

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Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 8:19 pm

He knows 1 thing : OBAMA is black.

stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 8:29 pm

may be passing through wednesday or thursday, if i do, will sample the best tea in branchville, definately have a job in bluffton next monday, told them the have to shit or get off the pot by wednesday on the other job so i can finish it before monday, we will see.

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 8:32 pm

The door is for you.

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 8:33 pm

In a good way. Bring fresh shrimp, a shoe in, LOL.

flip November 9, 2015 at 9:18 pm

The DOOR is for the illegals!!!! Bye Bye Dems!!!Just in!!!

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Barack Obama’s plan to protect from deportation an estimated 5 million people living in the United States illegally has suffered another setback in court.

In a 2-1 decision, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld a Texas-based judge’s injunction blocking the Obama administration’s immigration initiative.

Republicans had criticized the plan as an illegal executive overreach when Obama announced it last November. Twenty-six states challenged the plan in court.

The administration argued that the executive branch was within its rights in deciding to defer deportation of selected groups of immigrants.

Part of the initiative included expansion of a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, protecting young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 9:37 pm

In your raciest mind, thanks.

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 9:45 pm

One day you will understand. Just not this day or any other.

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 9:55 pm

Just stew in your shit, LOL. .

dwb619 November 9, 2015 at 10:12 pm

Fluffer

Reply
Debbie Thurston November 10, 2015 at 3:03 am

.?my neighbor’s sister is making $98 HOURLY on the internet?….A few days ago new McLaren F1 subsequent after earning 18,512$,,,this was my previous month’s paycheck ,and-a little over, $17k Last month ..3-5 h/r of work a day ..with extra open doors & weekly paychecks.. it’s realy the easiest work I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months ago and now making over $87, p/h..Learn More right Here….
3wcp…….
??
??? http://GlobalSuperEmploymentVacanciesReportStandard/GetPaid/$97hourly… ?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?

TARevolution November 9, 2015 at 4:38 pm

Obama’s spent $9 Trillion…where’s the rest that miserable Bastard has taken from us. You fucking thief.

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GrandTango November 9, 2015 at 5:10 pm

GrandTango getting welfare isn’t bad because flip gets even more welfare than he does!

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Bernie's Bitch November 9, 2015 at 5:26 pm

Hey, GrandTango, how much does Obama give you?
I bet you can’t wait for president Bernie to open the flood gates, huh?

Reply
dwb619 November 9, 2015 at 10:13 pm

fLuffer

Reply
Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 10:01 pm

Grand turd for the record. Other ttban that grand corruption.

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nitrat November 9, 2015 at 3:39 pm

We need an ongoing stable funding source for every single core function of government.
But, the Republicans and Libertarians prefer we use one time money and rob Peter to pay Paul as their high finance ideas.
What can you expect from people who still believe in trickle down and that cutting taxes on the rich is the solution to all economic problems?
And, what can you expect from people who are scared of lardass Grover Norquist?

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High Finance? November 9, 2015 at 3:42 pm

“Libertarians prefer we use one time money and rob Peter to pay Paul as their high finance ideas. ”

Really? Have you ever considered the fact that the entire concept of taxation is based upon robbing “Peter to pay Paul”?

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Bible Thumper November 9, 2015 at 4:37 pm

Could it be the Haley recovery that brought all that extra revenue.

Over the year, nonfarm employment increased in 46 states and the District of Columbia and decreased in 4 states. The largest over-the-year percentage increases occurred in Utah (+3.7 percent), South Carolina (+3.2 percent), and Idaho and Washington (+3.1 percent each).

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stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 4:58 pm

lets drill down a little deeper haley apposed amazon, apposed chaleston harbor improvement, approved savanah harbor improvement. on the plus side boeng, helped bring in continental. so for her i would call it a wash, the rest is Obama.

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Bible Thumper November 9, 2015 at 5:04 pm

She did not oppose Charleston. SC companies use Savannah too. When SC had 3.2% job growth, the country had 1.9%.

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stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 5:06 pm

and those figures are really good, really anything in the plus is good but we had higher unemployment than average when we started out of the hole.

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Bible Thumper November 9, 2015 at 5:15 pm

our unemployment rate is 0.6% above the national rate, but more people are moving to SC.

Bible Thumper November 9, 2015 at 5:18 pm

I’ll give you a dollar, if you can show me one SC media source that reported that SC had the second highest job growth in the country for the past 12 months.

Rocky Verdad November 9, 2015 at 5:21 pm

South Carolna Political Digest – nope, that’s not it.

Jack November 9, 2015 at 6:23 pm

Who gives a crap, South Carolinians still have incomes near the bottom of the nation, education near the bottom of the nation, our health is among the worst states in the nation, our poverty level is among the highest in the nation, and we have high unemployment. All of that is directly attributable to the leadership of Republicans, like SC Governor Haley. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear; and our current leadership from the Governor on down is a sow’s ear at best.

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 6:28 pm

Preach it Jack !

Bible Thumper November 9, 2015 at 11:58 pm

State facts jack. What is South Carolina’s ranking? What was it when Democrats governed?

Bible Thumper November 10, 2015 at 12:05 am

If you don’t care that South Carolina had the second highest job growth of any state in the last twelve months, then it does prove that you don’t give a crap, but I wouldn’t brag about being that ignorant and uneducated.

DEHC November 9, 2015 at 4:41 pm

Time to pay down on the pension fund liabilities. I understand it is 21 billion dollars now. We need to pay that down before we pay anything else.

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BeachBum November 9, 2015 at 4:52 pm

Hell, that will never happen.

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Little Dutch Boy November 9, 2015 at 7:49 pm

I wonder where Columbia will get the $7,000,000 to fix the canal dike they wrecked by negligence or incompetence?

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stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 7:59 pm

we are a welfare state, the rest of the union will step up and help us and that is ok, what chaps my ass is sc republicans want to contribute, cut taxes, less to the union, and put their grubby little hands out for more money.

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Little Dutch Boy November 9, 2015 at 8:14 pm

If the dike failed because of gross operator errors of the control gates, causing canal overtopping, I wonder if the damage even can legally be paid by FEMA. Of course they could lie about it.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 8:22 pm

Few, a point?

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Little Dutch Boy November 9, 2015 at 8:25 pm

? ?

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 8:26 pm

Blame game ?

Little Dutch Boy November 9, 2015 at 8:34 pm

They are blaming a non-existent “1000-year” flood and acting like the damage was unavoidable, when in fact the intake gates were not anywhere near fully closed and the main emergency outlet sluices were two-thirds blocked with some installed devices (that were soon removed from sight after the dike failed). The thus uncontrolled and full-to-the-brim canal eventually overflowed the dike or in any case overloaded it.

Someone will eventually report it I suppose. There are plenty of pictures proving it. It should be interesting when it eventually comes out.

(Got to go. Tomorrow.)

Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 8:39 pm

You said it. Some do need help.Not on a scale of much,

stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 8:31 pm

96 tears

stumpknocker November 9, 2015 at 8:03 pm

not even a kiss?

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Positivedifference54 November 9, 2015 at 8:49 pm

A billion dollars sounds like a lot of money that should be spent on the roads. How far will that get us? Divide that among the 46 counties in the state that is roughly $21,739,000 per county. Reconstruction cost per center line mile $477,543 for a primary road equals about 45.5 miles in the county. Some counties have upward of 300 miles of primary roads, add in the secondary roads maybe another 800 miles or more. This would be one time money and is not guaranteed every year. Doesn’t seem like it would put a big dent in the problem. Don’t forget to add in the costs of bridge replacements that can be over 1 million for some bridges. Tough choices that need to be dealt with every year. Which roads and which bridges to modernize and improve. Decisions, decisions. No easy answers folks. Think about it.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 9:40 pm

No one will see any of that other than the chosen

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Sic Semper Tyrannis November 9, 2015 at 11:10 pm

Troll alert !

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Debbie Thurston November 10, 2015 at 3:03 am

.?my neighbor’s sister is making $98 HOURLY on the internet?….A few days ago new McLaren F1 subsequent after earning 18,512$,,,this was my previous month’s paycheck ,and-a little over, $17k Last month ..3-5 h/r of work a day ..with extra open doors & weekly paychecks.. it’s realy the easiest work I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months ago and now making over $87, p/h..Learn More right Here….
3wcp……
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??? http://GlobalSuperEmploymentVacanciesReportStandard/GetPaid/$97hourly… ?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?

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ELCID November 10, 2015 at 11:01 am

Based purely on SC’s low debt ratios, amounts of cash on hand, positive cash flow and major assets, i.e. Santee Cooper; SC may be the richest state in the United States on a “per citizen basis.”

That’s amazing considering how poor our average SC citizen’s daily lives really are today.

This is either excellent management of the people’s money and assets.
Or, one of the worse, stupid and dumbass ways to manage the people’s assets.

Take your choice.

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Yelsewh November 10, 2015 at 11:08 am

They need to use at least a portion of the surplus to better align state staffing and salaries with the market. Everyone and their dog has an administrative assistant but they don’t pay professionals a professional salary… and it often shows in the quality of employees the state attracts.

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