EFFORT UNDERWAY TO SHUT DOWN CONSERVATIVE SENATOR’S FILIBUSTER OF TAX HIKE
A group of liberal South Carolina Senators is meeting in secret in an effort to figure out how they can ram a totally unnecessary gasoline tax hike through the State Senate this year.
According to reporter Cynthia Roldan of The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, this group of eight lawmakers “is having closed-door meetings and neither the public nor other legislators are invited.”
Who created this group? Uber-liberal S.C. Senate president Hugh Leatherman.
Who is leading it? Another uber-liberal, S.C. Senator Ray Cleary – who has spent the last two years leading the fight to raise gasoline taxes.
The goal of this group, according to sources familiar with its closed-door discussions, is to figure out a way to get around S.C. Senator Tom Davis – who successfully filibustered (a.k.a. blocked) a gas tax hike during the 2015 session of the S.C. General Assembly.
Will Davis be able to stand fast the tax-and-spenders again this year?
We shall see …
State government is bringing in an additional $1.2 billion in the coming fiscal year … in addition to recurring funding for the scandal-scarred S.C. Department of Transportation that has nearly doubled in the last six years alone.
In other words the truth is on Davis’ side, but liberal lawmakers are clearly doing everything within their power to ram this tax hike through regardless …
Let’s hope they are not successful …
Also, let’s hope open government advocates protest this effort by public officials to keep the people in the dark about their tax-hiking proclivities.
96 comments
The road situation is reaching critical mass. Though I’ve been opposed to the gas tax, that 10% gas tax is starting to look like a bargain. Even if they only use half of it for what it’s intended to be used for, it has to be better than the current situation.
In the immortal words of the late great Jerry Clower “Just shoot up here amongst us, one of us has got to have some relief.”
That mindset is exactly what they are playing for and banking on. See Vince Lehotsky’s comment, above. I know, sometimes it is easy to get in that mode, given the shitty condition of our roads. In a way, it is probably good that they haven’t taken large-scale actions to repair the roads, what with the ground being perpetually water-logged and all. I’m not sure anything beyond the temporary patches we see now would be any better than the temporary patches.
For quite a few months now, crews have made a complete mess of the intersection of Leaphart Rd at Mineral Springs Rd in West Columbia. They have had new stop lights up for months, but they are still bagged despite being badly needed more than ever because of the perpetual clusterphuck the road crews have created with holes and divots in the pavement, vision loss due to poorly implemented barricades, and the like.
If one wants to truly realize what the concepts of “elephant pregnancy” and “a monkey fucking a football” are when mated, all they need to do is drive through this intersection on a busy weekday.
Apparently they have been given a blank check and are dragging this project out as long as possible, rather than completing it as there seems to be no urgency to complete it and restore normal traffic flow.
Right on bro, a small crack in the door and they will rape everyone for all they can.
It’s their favorite pastime!
I understand what their game is and that we are being played; however, I don’t see what other options we have. I’m already paying a 10%+ gas tax in the form of they won’t fix the damned bridge that I need to come and go from my corner of the world. Everywhere is 10% or more further away. Even if they do “already have the money to fix the roads” they aren’t going to release it until they get their new slush funds. The attorney general isn’t going to do anything about it, SLED the Feds, and Ed no longer do anything. No one has a solution other than we “can’t” raise the gas tax. Well if we don’t raise the gas tax how are we going to get this fixed? Leatherman, the Transportation Commission, The Governor and the rest of them are bound and determine to let the state devolve in to a system of two rut roads to get their way and the voters aren’t going to stop them.
I’m tired of sitting in traffic on roads that were supposed to be improved 5 to 10 years ago, but there is no money. I’m tired of waiting on the voters to get a clue (because they couldn’t find a clue with GPS, directions and the clue being painted blaze orange) I’m tired of potholes and reflectors that never get replaced. I’m just sick and tired. UNCLE already, here have your damn tax just fix the shit and fix it NOW!
Keep hoping that old age will eventually claim Leatherman and this madness will slow down.
Looks like you’ve let them beat you down.
Some times you have to retreat, regroup and live to fight another day. This one is small potatoes and at least it has some practical benefit.
Ask the new chairman about his firm handling the Hwy 31 extension. Land that was needed for the extension was bought, a development for the land went thru planning and zoning. Thus raising the property value. Sold to the state at a higher price using DOT monies. The sellers were in a position to know what land the state needed beforehand. Now, they are the decision makers on what land is to be bought and sold. And for How Much.
Are things so dismal in SC that a small gas tax hike will ruin the citizens there?
Isn’t Walmart giving all it’s employees a raise?
It’s called. “being nickeled and dimed to death”.
So, an extra nickel or dime will ruin you economically?
More than having decent roads to drive on?
A nickel here, a dime there, a quarter somewhere else. It all adds up, especially if it’s compounded per dollar spent or per gallon. If people don’t draw a line they will take and take until there is nothing left to give.
Since a nickel is such a minute amount, I’m sure SC can find it in the budget with taxing us yet again. As you said, it’s small- especially considering the budget SC government already has.
If one knew of how those in charge at the commission like to use tax money to their own benefit, you’d be opposed to this gas tax.
From what I’ve seen and cannot state over the wires is that a high percentage of this new found money will be utilized to pave the lining of the commissioner’s pockets.
In case they’re reading this; while someone I know was in their firm employed I kept quiet. Now that their employment is over with, I hold no allegiance …
if they are lining their pockets, throw them in jail, we need our roads fixed, sticking your head in the ground never got anything done.
They’ll never go to jail, especially with a judge in their pocket.
The roads were purposely left to decay as a means to begin a rally cry for this tax. After the imposing of an increase the roads will be fixed with the old money. And the pockets will be lined with the new money.
Exactly!!!!! Thank you for having vision enough to see through the games!
the roads have to fixed, there has to be a paper trail of where all the money is spent, they can not line their pockets unless we the voters let them.
“they can not line their pockets unless we the voters let them.”
You are incredibly naive.
no, i think the voters will let them, the republican majority in this state loves to whine, but they keep re electing the crooks
Then why on earth would you declare,
“throw them in jail, we need our roads fixed, sticking your head in the ground never got anything done” ?
…sounds like you have naive hope to me. To rail for more money for crooks when you know they won’t be held accountable seems irresponsible to me.
They shouldn’t be able to but they do, Stumpknocker. They have become very adept at covering their tracks and creatively moving money around so its final destination is not readily apparent.
When you have an Attorney General and SLED, who are afraid to do their jobs or otherwise unwilling, these clowns have impunity and they know it.
Add to that how long it takes to get the Feds involved and their mantra of “bargaining” for token sentences on the worst offenders, “because they cooperated”, and you have the makings of a colossal joke on us, the taxpayers.
Damn, Vinnie, you are making sense again for the first time since forever. Welcome back to reality.
For the record…Vinnie is another one of Boz’s victims.
lol
Vinnie has never been a victim of anything but his own mind. He’s had some good ideas, ran an interesting losing campaign against Tom Rice, but ultimately undid himself because he is a fanatic with serious snakes in his head. Which, no doubt, is why you feel the need to defend him, pogo.
Of course, being poor as a church mouse, barely squeaking by as a newspaper boy for the Sun News didn’t help. I think his dog Woody did better than him when ran him in a couple of local races.
‘being poor as a church mouse,’
My guess is mommy doesn’t put a roof over his head nor has he walked out on food/bar tabs?
Sounds like flip*** (the troll stealing my username) and GT.
Boz I am sorry but this troll is trying to impersonate me now. Just know that the real flip has your back.
I don’t doubt you have Boz’s ‘back’ side.
I don’t think of Boz in that way, clearly you do. You’re disgusting.
testing….
Please do not steal my username.
No problem faggot.They will be able to tell the difference.You are an illiterate, babbling,cock sucking homo supporting a communist for President-Bernie Sanders.
I am a Godly man, a Christian conservative that loves family and country and sees Donald Trump as a way to making America great again ending YOUR party of perversion-the Democrat Party.
Why does Fits waste his money and hire idiots like you? :)
Bernie Sanders will save America from the likes of you. Praise God for Bernie.
If you were Christian you would be ashamed of what you write.
Good morning Rocky.
You could explore legal action against him. I think there’s a firm in the Columbia area that might help, Taylor Law firm or something like that.
I may have to contact a lawyer, I would rather not. I don’t think this guy has much money anyways.
We know what they are doing but we are powerless to stop it. The feds should of been here YEARS ago.
The feds…that’s like the fox guarding the hen house.
That exactly right….the Feds are nowhere in sight…they should have told the truth about Goldfinch’s crimes and not cover it up (before fitsnews discovered the truth) and put his ass behind bars years ago to end his criminal life early…but now the corruption has multiplied and will consume the grand strand. The wicked shall prosper, seem to be one truth from Bible that applies to Goldfinch perfectly. Similarly, look at Hillary Clinton, not to be political, but just by the merits of it, she should be sitting in prison right now. The feds too are failing us in every way, especially in those areas where citizens have no power to intervene.
Highway maintenance — and honestly needed new construction (sit down and shut up, I-73) — should be funded by the gasoline tax, not occasional surpluses discovered in the general fund.
Besides, doesn’t Will think those surpluses should be refunded, anyway?
With Mike Wooten now the chairman of SCDOT, expect more of the same from all parties involved. Only more so.
Yes, you called it right as usual. Bunch of corrupt pigs.
LMAO!!! Right as usual?Boz has NEVER been right on a damn ONE of his libelous conspiratorial bombs.They apparently fucking ran him out of town!
You two idiots get a room.Makes sense you two nutjobs are political soulmates-you support communist Sanders and Boz supported communist Gloria Tinabu! Oh my!!!!
Boz is one of the smartest minds on this website. So is Rocky and mamatiger and a few others. You sound like that asshole that got busted, GT, who was one of the most moronic minds here.
Stop stealing my screen name you jerk.
You are a moronic faggot that has yet to express a coherent opinion in your short time on Fits as the blog pervert.
My opinion is that you are a sad person and that Bernie Sanders will save America from the likes of those who ruin this great country, namely you.
So, who are these eight anal orifices? I have this uneasy feeling that my Senator might judt be one ofvthem.
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Speaking of anal orifices , it looks like we are in for another tax increase. Bend over and get ready. It doesn’t matter what the problem is. Just throw more of our money at it. The problems never go away , the politicians just need more to fix them. Dose anybody see a trend here ??? LOL
Rogue you make good points.However HOW do we get deadbeat welfare Dims to contribute without ‘user’ fees?
You first have to address the corruption within the SCDOT(good luck) before being to reasonably suggest they get more money, or it’s an implicit endorsement of malfeasance.
*being able
I personally don’t have a problem with another nickel on gasoline. But gasoline only. Diesel fuel should not be taxed more. It is used to earn a living. IE truckers , farmers, small businesses. As to the deadbeat Dims. they will get theirs one way or another. The whole thing could be fixed quickly by the Fair Tax. If you buy it , you pay it. real simple.
The Nerve broke this story last week and listed all the senators’ names. FITS seems to be just re-posting their stuff lately.
The pieces are being put in place and the gas tax will be rammed down for sure. Mike Wooten election as SCDOT chairman, Ray Cleary endorsement of Stephen Goldfinch, Mike Wooten and his pack supporting Stephen Goldfinch senate run…and now this secret meeting (wonder if Goldfinch was in this secret meeting. We hear around here that Chip Limehouse is also patting Goldfinch’s back lately and there probably is a good reason for that). On the surface it seems like a noble idea that benefits everyone….road repair is a top priority and needs to be done….funding must be consistent and long term…oil prices will be low for the next 5-6 years at least and gas tax can be immediately raised to maximum amount and need not be phased in, so immediate influx of big cash and finishing off the road projects much sooner to prevent runaway increase in costs if the construction is done over a longer period. Those will likely be the arguments. People who want to benefit off the money are not going to wait years to fill their pockets. Ramming time it is.
It is Leatherman’s last big hooray. He will distribute the extra $40 billion and he will bask in the glory of all that power.
Yes, Leatherman passing tax increases is like porn to Eckstrom=instant erection and a long, peaceful afterglow.
Leatherman has done the same kind of underhanded garbage in hid position on the Clemson University board of trustees. Raising tuition every year, then pouring the money into a hole never to see the light of day again.
Yo…SC voters…GA and NC kicked out payday and SC legislators welcomed them for money and now you question why
That the SC legislature has the national distinction of being the biggest laughing stock and the best that money can buy !!!
All this would go away if they would put the Confederate flag back up!
Tonto–NO relation to Tonto–wished his bud Obama would still be around
He didn’t know patriots or patriotism or that the flag has…NOT come down !!!
Your trailer doesn’t count.
Tonto–NO relation to Tonto–thought patriots’ valor would pass
But just like Haley and Joe Wilson–voters showed him to be an… !!!
Voters showed them what?
How to get re-elected?
I read having a Confederate Flag tattoo will now disqualify a person from pretty much most jobs now.
Thanks, Dylan Roof and Lone Ranger!
Tonto–NO relation to Tonto–was slow and believed everything he read
He read Killiary and electricity wouldn’t kill you–yep–he ended up…dead !!!
Actually, that would be Kansas’ legislature.
Trump tweets – Mike Bloomberg is doing a great job as Mayor of New York City. April 16, 1012
Michael Bloomberg: I may run for President as an Independent. I’ll use my own money and have a lot more than Trump even claims to have.
I’m still taking a detour around the road/bridge my congressman lives on.Wassup w/dat?
Going on 4 months,now.Jeez
I know where you are talking about (Wilson). Private dam needs to be repaired first.
I don’t know why they are called “liberals”. They aren’t “liberal” (liberty, liberate, liberation), they are big government/authoritarians.
But I really like Tom Davis (who is not my state representative).
Us vs. Them
If they aren’t clearly US, then they are the despised THEM.
Who is “US”, and who is “THEM”?
I’ll take non-authoritarians as “US”, and leave authoritarians as “THEM”.
As opposed to ‘small government’ (as long as it’s big enough to pay their salaries, benefits and perks) Libertarian authoritarians?
Their salaries have to be paid through taxes, yes. But I’m good with cutting the benefits/perks.
“Libertarian” they are not.
All major newspapers in this state want the gas tax increase. All major politicians in the this state want a gas tax increase. It will happen. Get your wallets ready.
Yes, you are exactly correct. Newspapers will squash anything that gets in the way of a increased gas tax.
Lets organize and go stand out in front of their houses. What say you?
I’m tied up standing outside of Boz’s house. Are these guys sexy?
OH MY!!! I don’t doubt that a bit! Ask Boz if you can borrow one of his dresses!
I am the original flip, please stop impersonating me.
They should raise the gas tax and ear mark the money specifically for repairing and improving the state secondary roads that are crumbling apart and are too narrow. What say you?
For those of you that talk about all the waste at SCDOT, please specify. Inquiring minds would like to know.
Hi! Do you read the articles on here about Hugh Leatherman’s shameless wheeling and dealing with regard to SCDOT bids and similar?
Earmarks mean little when the money gets diverted to other “projects” before it gets to its earmarked destination. To use an example on a smaller scale, does anyone remember when double-digit millions of dollars went missing from Columbia’s coffers back when Austin was City Mismanager. Suddenly, retirees who had for decades, been promised free health care upon retiring with twenty years or more’s service were seeing thst deal pulled away from them. Nobody was made to answer the hard questions, nobody was criminally prosecuted, and a precious one or few laughed all the way to the bank as retirees were screwed out of a benefit they had been promised and which no-doubt, kept quite a few working at Columbia when better offers beckoned them from elsewhere.
The SCDOT mismansgement is similar to the malfeasance at Columbia, justva bigger toilet with bigger turds in it.
It is appallingly easy to steal or misdirect large sums of public money.
Simply put, politicians just don’t want to know about financial mismanagement or theft.. Knowing means they have to act. Ignorance is wonderful for them. They credit for helping but without the jeopardy of committing a crime.
Raise the damn gas tax and make welfare grubbing DemoRats pay their fair share!
Higher taxes, spoken like a true liberal. Welcome to the fold comrade! Want a Bernie Sanders bumper sticker?
I just want pussy welfare queens like you to contribute.
You just want the higher taxes so you can get more welfare! LMAO!!!
I just want welfare queen pussy – there – fixed it for ya!!!
If it was a liberal group why wasn’t I invited? LMAO!!!
Today’s Fits forecast. Partly Cloudy with a 100% chance of Flip pollution.
I take it you mean my impersonator. I agree his crap is toxic. Someone needs to call the EPA. Will might get some Superfund money.
Hmm…..well, first we want to see a Google Earth Map showing every gas pump and tank in the state and have a real time gas tax accounting for each PUMP via this website and every state agency website for everyone to see. Then the taxes will be paid to fix roads within a 5 mile radius of each pump…!!! The funds do NOT go to Columbia but to a REAL Bank account that is transparent.
Then we can talk about raising gas taxes……….boys and girls…!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Haley restate in her state of state address that she would veto any new gas tax effort? What good will this covert meeting do?