PRIMARY WARNINGS ISSUED …
Earlier this week we wrote on the re-engagement of one national advocacy group that’s been fighting against a proposed gas tax hike in South Carolina … now another group is stepping forward to demand lawmakers stop blowing surplus tax dollars on bigger government.
In response to state economists certifying an additional $1.2 billion in new general fund revenue ($1.3 billion if you count lottery funds and earmarked education funds), RJ May – executive director of the S.C. Club for Growth – lamented the expressed intention of many leading lawmakers to spend all of the new money.
“Unfortunately, instead of protecting taxpayers by reducing the state income tax, paying down pension obligations, or shrinking the size and scope of state government, Democrats and liberal Republicans appear to be working quickly on ways to spend this un-obligated money,” May said. “This is unacceptable and the SC Club for Growth, our supporters, and other taxpayer advocacy groups will be watching the legislature closely as the June 2016 state primaries approach.”
Good for the Club …
We support their efforts. In fact we made a similar observation in our coverage of the massive cash windfall.
“This wave of new money should help blunt legislative momentum to raise the state’s gas tax,” we wrote. “In fact in a government that confined itself to core functions, such a windfall would kickstart a movement for tax relief.”
Let’s hope it does …
The current state budget – which began on July 1, 2015 and runs through June 30, 2016 – stands at roughly $26 billion. The latest projections would indicate the FY 2016-17 budget would soar to $27.2 billion – an increase of more than a billion dollars.
Sadly, such rampant growth is par for the course.
In 2010-11, the state’s budget was $20.8 billion – meaning spending has grown by roughly a billion dollars annually over the past seven years, a whopping 30.7 percent increase.
Don’t expect the mainstream media to tell you that … but it’s the truth.
It’s also why you’re still dirt poor …
24 comments
Fuck the club for morons.
The SC Club for Growth is a club for “fat cats” and well-connected Republicans. Look at their Board.
Gee, how about we do some roadwork like widening interstates. And do it in places other than Mt. Pleasant for a change.
Outside agitators like Americans for Progress (AFP) and Club for Growth, with a national ideology and agenda, need to…stay outside.
Uuhhh…government budgets will always grow with population and the issues created by more people. You know, more people need more water and sewer and roads to get to and from their jobs, police and fire protection, trash pick up, etc.
I don’t know which is worse, promoting an agenda that is ignorant of or denies that simple fact or voters so dirt stupid they don’t realize every time they pop out a baby and those babies pop out grandbabies that they require more government services…unless they live in a cave off the grid.
Is it just South Carolinians you hate or the human race in general?
The old Thumper is back.I like it. nitrat is a cancer on humanity.
Just you, baby.
It’s also why you’re still dirt poor …
If that’s so, where is the new revenue coming from?
Is the SC Club affiliated with the national club?
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Club_for_Growth
SC MUST, and I mean MUST, pay down on the pension debt of $21 billion dollars.
I have seen a powerpoint about this debt and I have studied it. It is going to cause havoc at the school districts, colleges, counties and cities. Do we have to bankrupt them before taking action?
I watched the last B and C Board meeting and the pension system is about to go bust. The video is online, go watch it and listen. if we don’t educate ourselves now will will regret it later!
can you post a link?
http://scetv.org/events/sfaa
Starts at 55 minutes
The Treasurer’s comments were most interesting to me.
Loftis is the only one of them that seemed even middle interested in the subject. The rest of them just wanted the topic to go away.
oh my freaking God, this clown is talking about physical years, who hired him? does anyone in the room know they are talking about fiscal years?
I was an actuary for almost 7 years. In that world when things look bleak you can rest assured they are a lot worse.
The State is in serious trouble and her leadership lacks the fortitude to prudently manage this pension liability. The aspirations of SC depend on her ability to allocate resources in a disciplined manner and the avoidance of paying down the pension liability demonstrates a lack of fiscal seriousness needed of see SC progress from our perennial status as a laggard to a modern, efficient state.
Yep, Cockroaches operate in the present and have little or no regard for future predictions
Their Granddaddies sucked up as much as they could, their Daddies sucked up as much as they could and the World did not come to an end – so why should they be the one to change the cycle
Tell a Cockroach that the World will end tomorrow AM and he will meet with his accountant this PM to try and figure out how to move his assets offshore
Fuckin’ Cockroaches
?
we certainly do not need to find new ways to spend money out of our budget, that money should be spent on programs we have gutted and or ignored over the past decades like mental health, roads and so on.
The question is, “How can we keep politicians accountable for the vast sums of money they control?”
It does not take a room full of high-powered lawyers to realize the current system maintains no control what so ever about how our tax money is appropriated for projects and then how it is spent. The biggest mistake we can make is assuming these politicians, of all parties, colors, sexes, religious affiliation, and ranges of intelligence are honest and their objective is to get the best bang for the buck, with no abuse, fraud, or kick backs.
The politicians are in this for themselves, they do not hold themselves to any antiquated virtues. Honesty being the first thing they leave in the parking lot when they are in session. Over the years, money has left the State House, intended to be spent on approved projects and wound up in the pockets of friends, family, assorted ne’er – do – wells, and contractors kicking back substantial amounts to politicians. We are now letting a corrupt system run afoul with no chance that it will correct itself.
The whole system, from tax collection to money spent by the state should be monitored from start to finish, everyday, night and day, even on weekends.
But, then again, all we would have to do is elect honest politicians.
Senator Leatherman controls the SC State government. As long as the other 45 Senators allow it will suck.
Every car in SC should have the bumper sticker:
“Defeat Leatherman and prosper.”
I believe the whole system is corrupt, from the House and Senate leaders down to the ushers and parking attendants.
That might be an exaggeration, but there is a frustration in realizing that it probably will not change, no matter who is in control.
Any person or any group that could put forth an independent group/ plan to monitor and keep these cretins in line would be treated as a savior.
Vote out every Senator. They are all complicit in keeping the rules of the Senate.
Vote our every damn one of them or live like peasants. That is our choice.