S.C. Senator Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden) is once again throwing down the transparency gauntlet for Gov. Nikki Haley to pick up – voluntarily releasing the last dozen years of personal income tax returns and challenging her to do the same.
“Without ethical leaders, we won’t have ethical government,” Sheheen said in a statement. “I have chosen to release twelve years of tax returns because it’s not enough to say one thing and do another on ethics and leadership. We have to walk the walk. I call on other leaders in our state to release their returns as well. Governor Haley especially should release her most recent tax returns, as well as the ten years prior that she refused to disclose during the last campaign. South Carolinians deserve full disclosure and transparency, not just more political rhetoric absent results.”
Sheheen is the likely Democrat gubernatorial nominee in 2014, reprising a role he played in 2010 – when Haley narrowly defeated him in one of the strongest “Republican” years on record.
Sheheen’s challenge – reminiscent of his 2010 challenge on the issue of legislative emails – aims to put Haley on the defensive regarding the income disclosure reform she has adopted as a centerpiece of her so-called “ethics reform” agenda. It also aims to revive a history of evasiveness on Haley’s part.
For example, Haley failed to disclose more than $40,000 she received from a company doing business before the state between 2007-09. There are also major inconsistencies in the income she reported to the federal government and the income estimate she provided to a local hospital that hired her in 2008.
Haley continues to claim that she never provided the hospital with any income information, although that assertion has been conclusively debunked.
Haley’s campaign didn’t immediately respond to Sheheen’s challenge, but the last time a gauntlet like this was dropped she tucked her tail and ran.
Three years ago Haley invoked a legislative exemption to keep her taxpayer-funded emails, computer records and public phone records private after she was accused of having two extramarital affairs. Months later, she conducted a positively Nixonian release of mostly spam emails – refusing to let the press have access to the vast majority of her taxpayer-funded correspondence or her government-funded computer hard drives.
She still hasn’t released any of that information, by the way …
So … will Sheheen’s income disclosure gambit (and Haley’s presumed refusal to follow suit) pay dividends for the Democrat? That remains to be seen. Establishing a “Haley as hypocrite” narrative should be exceedingly easy for Sheheen – on multiple fronts – but if he can’t find ways to get to her right on bread-and-butter fiscal issues (like he failed to do during the Medicaid expansion debate), then he’s unlikely to pull off the upset that narrowly eluded him three years ago.
***
62 comments
Looks pretty transparent to me…
Sheheen will win by 10-15 points. What will she do when she’s unemployed/fired? BTW, didn’t LMC fire her?
And Colbert-Busch was going to win by 5-6…
Haley will win easily.Shes a REPUBLICAN.This is South Carolina.
When I see Haley, I see shit…lots of it!
Haley is all ass, no brains, no legs, no tits. And most of all, just like O’Bama, NO American Heritage!!!
Good one BB…LMAO…And he does look like a vacant Dumb@$$…
Empty suit, exactly the casting Siddious looks for in a puppet. I’ll bet he claims to be Christina and stands solidly behind the DNC platform… not that there’s an ethical cut out there.
Looks pretty transparent to me…In fact, he looks damn near vacant, kinda like an empty suit
Sheheen will win by 10-15 points. What will she do when she’s unemployed/fired? BTW, didn’t LMC fire her?
And Colbert-Busch was going to win by 5-6…
Haley will win easily.Shes a REPUBLICAN.This is South Carolina.
When I see Haley, I see shit…lots of it!
Haley is all ass, no brains, no legs, no tits. And most of all, just like O’Bama, NO American Heritage!!!
Empty suit, exactly the casting Siddious looks for in a puppet. I’ll bet he claims to be Christina and stands solidly behind the DNC platform… not that there’s an ethical cut out there.
Off-subject, but I hear Ted Vick’s jury trial for 1st DUI is coming up soon.
Off-subject, but I hear Ted Vick’s jury trial for 1st DUI is coming up soon.
When it comes to money, Sheheen will always win. He goes to the bank and they give him some family money. His bank does the books. When you’re in business for yourself, like the Haley family, it’s messy. Always. People sue. Government interferes. You may be jerked back into a situation you thought was solved honestly, years later – especially if you have intensely dedicated, bigoted political enemies.
Yet there is obfuscation in the gubernatorial race this time around. Sheheen is a crypto-fascist, pretending to have the welfare of the “middle class” at heart, when in fact, what he wants is the power to dictate what he perceives as proper behavior in society. In the end there will be more taxation, less education, and more poverty.
Over and over again, nature proves that what society needs is less welfare and less government.
Nim says she’s an accounting major.
I have a cartoon for a reply….. but ?
Wow! You must know Sheheen really well to understand his personal motives so well. A “cryptofacist?” You’re using words too big for me. I have no clue what that is. Now just how is it you know he is a “cryptofacist” in spite of what he actually says publicly? He sure hides the fact that he is a “cryptofacist” well. I’m glad we have people like you to enlighten us and tell us he is not what he appears to be but is, in fact, a “cryptofacist.” I, for one, have certainly been enlightened. Before your insight, I had actually believed he wanted to be a good public servant and had the background and capability to do that. Silly me. Strom Thurmond once called an opponent a “thespian” who practiced “nepotism.” Of course, he won.
I only know three Democrats who are not secret socialists. All three of them live in the Upstate and are praying for a conservative to take up the Democratic mantle. I would welcome that, too. But I fear dinosaurs will fly out my nose, first.
When it comes to money, Sheheen will always win. He goes to the bank and they give him some family money. His bank does the books. When you’re in business for yourself, like the Haley family, it’s messy. Always. People sue. Government interferes. You may be jerked back into a situation you thought was solved honestly, years later – especially if you have intensely dedicated, bigoted political enemies.
Yet there is obfuscation in the gubernatorial race this time around. Sheheen is a crypto-fascist, pretending to have the welfare of the “middle class” at heart, when in fact, what he wants is the power to dictate what he perceives as proper behavior in society. In the end there will be more taxation, less education, and more poverty.
Over and over again, nature proves that what society needs is less welfare and less government.
Nim says she’s an accounting major.
I have a cartoon for a reply….. but ?
Wow! You must know Sheheen really well to understand his personal motives so well. A “cryptofacist?” You’re using words too big for me. I have no clue what that is. Now just how is it you know he is a “cryptofacist” in spite of what he actually says publicly? He sure hides the fact that he is a “cryptofacist” well. I’m glad we have people like you to enlighten us and tell us he is not what he appears to be but is, in fact, a “cryptofacist.” I, for one, have certainly been enlightened. Before your insight, I had actually believed he wanted to be a good public servant and had the background and capability to do that. Silly me. Strom Thurmond once called an opponent a “thespian” who practiced “nepotism.” Of course, he won.
I only know three Democrats who are not secret socialists. All three of them live in the Upstate and are praying for a conservative to take up the Democratic mantle. I would welcome that, too. But I fear dinosaurs will fly out my nose, first.
What Fiscal Conservative (as FITS swaers he is) in his right F#*kin mind would EVER shill for a D???..
Democrats HATE Fiscal Responsibility and are out to Smear anybody who is for Fiscal Conservatism as racist, homophobe, heartless and stupid…
FITS whoring himself for the democrats..Again: I TOLD you…
Lying B@$t@*ds in the media, and DISHONESTY and Corruption in genneral (See Obama, See FITS) are the BIGGEST Threats to our freedom.
FITS is like Stalin or Hitler, they report what they want…not reality….We cannot afford anymore Liars at this point…They’ve done enough damage already (See Obama’s economy)…
A one, and a two, and a three…”????Boy, the way Glenn Miller played…????”
See California’s surplus. Blue State.
Surely you are not that D#@n Stupid:
California Governor Jerry Brown has declared that the state will have an $851 million budget surplus by the end of 2013-2014.
The state is gobbling the money of earners with exorbitant tax increases that have already forced top producers to move from the state. California is LOSING population, but keeping the free-loaders… .
The new money, some of it one-time, is attributed to new taxes, as well as steep budget cuts. Obama’s recession and overspending are reasons for the state’s financial collapse.
California still has a “wall of debt” that remains to be addressed. The state still has more than $34 billion in outstanding debts.
And the unfair, over-taxation is but a drop in the bucket of a problem that was created by too many greedy, liberal politicians.
Sucks to be California.
I think we all know, unless you are a koolaid drinking, brain dead lemming, Haley is a liar, a fraud, a narcissist, immoral, unethical, person, who should have NEVER been elected to any position!
I’m a Republican who supported her ONCE, was badly fooled and will work for and contribute to Sen. Sheheen. I personally was lied to and know others who were lied to and stabbed in the back by her!
We should have listened to John Rainey and Will Folks.
Sheheen and Obama are joined at the hip. If Sheheen disavows the democrat lord-master, the most ignorant (democrat die-hards) will punish him …and he’ll lose even bigger…
Hate Haley all you want…but if she is not beaten in the GOP Primary, Sheheen has way too much Baggage of Obama Failure to carry…Haley has been ROCK SOLID against the Obama policies that are making familes suffer and destroying our country…She’ll be rewarded for her opposition to the hideous Obama….
I’ve heard the two don’t know each other. Funny how knowledge can vary so much. Makes you question the nature of truth.
They know, and adhere to, the destructive polices of the left. That’s what matters. Knowing each other personally is irrelevant.
I did not know Ronald Reagan, but he inspires me to this day (listen to his speeches.) I know Reagan was a GREAT president, and makes me ashamed that Obama holds the same office that such an American-loving man as Reagan held.
So, your head and ass are joined at the ass?
Thanks Shah, the more ignorant of your brand always let me know (w/ your empty posts) that I’ve slapped the livin’ $#!* out of you, where it hurts…
Cat, even disregarding Sic’s sex allegations, every single thing that would have made a rational, thinking person NOT vote for Haley was out there before the general election with Sheheen.
You have outed yourself as someone who does not pay attention.
Yes, the Guv. has lie-ability.
I think we all know, unless you are a koolaid drinking, brain dead lemming, Haley is a liar, a fraud, a narcissist, immoral, unethical, person, who should have NEVER been elected to any position!
I’m a Republican who supported her ONCE, was badly fooled and will work for and contribute to Sen. Sheheen. I personally was lied to and know others who were lied to and stabbed in the back by her!
We should have listened to John Rainey and Will Folks.
Cat, even disregarding Sic’s sex allegations, every single thing that would have made a rational, thinking person NOT vote for Haley was out there before the general election with Sheheen.
You have outed yourself as someone who does not pay attention.
But, congratulations on seeing the light.
Yes, the Guv. has lie-ability.
So, who’s the Green Party (or other obscure political affiliation) running in 2014?
After the way she has totally fucked the state employees and retirees, as well as stuffed her pockets at every turn, there is no way I’ll be voting for Haley, again. Neither will I vote for a damn Sheheen. They are like political kudzu.
So, who’s the Green Party (or other obscure political affiliation) running in 2014?
After the way she has totally fucked the state employees and retirees, as well as stuffed her pockets at every turn, there is no way I’ll be voting for Haley, again. Neither will I vote for a damn Sheheen. They are like political kudzu.
Nim is a changed candidate. From Methodist white woman to Sikh Pakistani/Hindu/Indian(non tomahawk). My former Nim slogan was “Methodist white woman my ass”. This time around I’m leaning towards something a little more culturally diverse. Something that could include drones and jihad.
Sick of the Sikh denial.
Fact…Sikh, the perfect marriage of Islam and Hindu.
Nim is a changed candidate. From Methodist white woman to Sikh Pakistani/Hindu/Indian(non tomahawk). My former Nim slogan was “Methodist white woman my ass”. This time around I’m leaning towards something a little more culturally diverse. Something that could include drones and jihad.
Sick of the Sikh denial.
Fact…Sikh, the perfect marriage of Islam and Hindu.
Sheheen was the primary sponsor of S-258, the bill creating the Office of Statewide Inspector General (http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/258.htm), passed unanimously by the S.C. Senate (Ayes-36, Nays-0) and House (Yeas-112, Nays-0), that Gov. Haley signed on Feb. 2, 2012.
At her press conference signing the bill — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS0PeyPtrVI — Gov. Haley praises Sheheen for authoring the bill and getting it passed. (See 55 sec. to 1 min. 15 sec.)
Sheheen had introduced this bill twice — in two separate sessions — four years of effort. A co-sponsor of S-258, Sen. Mike Rose, introduced the first OIG bill 25 years ago, in the 1980s. The late Sen. Bill Mescher tried again, introducing another OIG bill in 2012. OIGs help arrest bad behavior by powerful politicians, their family and friends, so it took quite a while for the stars to align themselves for this bill to become acceptable to them.
Typical activities of our OIG?
See http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/05/21/4878692/inspector-general-sc-has-significant.html.
DHHS estimates that state Medicaid fraud alone is about 10 percent of expenditures: $5 billion x 10% = $500 million annually.
To be fair, Gov. Haley initially created a “mini” version of the OIG — authorized to investigate waste, fraud and abuse in her cabinet (13 agencies) — a year earlier, on March 11, 2011, by Executive Order. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWSbCJxZPe0. But her appointed IG, George Schroeder, quit after a few months, complaining that her office gave him no support.
The legislatively-created OIG has purview over 101 state entities, including state colleges and universities.
The OIG’s 2012-13 budget was $328,000 (3 employees), basically keeping it from doing its job of overseeing some 60,000 state employees.
The OIG’s 2013-14 proposed budget is $616,000 (7 employees — see lines 31-32 at http://www.scstatehouse.gov/query.php?search=DOC&searchtext=inspector%20general&category=BUDGET&year=2013&version_id=3&return_page=&version_title=Senate Finance&conid=&result_pos=&keyval=27065&numrows=10).
Yesterday, the state budget, H. 3710 had its third reading. I hope the increased OIG budget is included, but cannot verify that.
http://www.stateintegrity.org ranks South Carolina as “fifth most corrupt” state government in the nation. Only eight other states have statewide OIGs. The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper published a story, “SC inspector general ‘scares’ lawmakers” on Jan. 15, 2013 (http://www.thestate.com/2013/01/15/2590933/state-election-commission-90-percent.html). This cannot be all bad!
Inspector General Pat Maley, who can be removed from his position only “for cause,” a former career FBI special agent with an accounting background, is independent and totally free from political interference. See http://oig.sc.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
~~~~~
“Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial
diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric
light the most efficient policeman.”
~~~~~
— Jock Stender, Charleston
Kara Brurok of the House Ways & Means Committee advises me today that it has approved only half of the OIG’s requested budget, and approved only three of the requested “full time equivalent” (FTE) jobs.
I’ve been told that the Senate Finance Committee has similarly given the OIG’s budget a similar cutback.
The budget is a work in process, is not complete, and must go to a House-Senate Conference Committee and then back to both full bodies for approval.
Who are the legislative champions of the Office of Inspector General? What legislators will come out and publicly support full funding for this “unwanted child”?
Sen. Sheheen?
It would be nice to hear his take on the “short-sheeting” of the OIG.
~~~~~
Incidentally, the quote above about the healthful nature of publicity and sunlight is by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis.
~~~~~
— Jock Stender, Charleston
Sheheen was the primary sponsor of S-258, the bill creating the Office of Statewide Inspector General (http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/258.htm), passed unanimously by the S.C. Senate (Ayes-36, Nays-0) and House (Yeas-112, Nays-0), that Gov. Haley signed on Feb. 2, 2012.
At her press conference signing the bill — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS0PeyPtrVI — Gov. Haley praises Sheheen for authoring the bill and getting it passed. (See 55 sec. to 1 min. 15 sec.)
Sheheen had introduced this bill twice — in two separate sessions — four years of effort. A co-sponsor of S-258, Sen. Mike Rose, introduced the first OIG bill 25 years ago, in the 1980s. The late Sen. Bill Mescher tried again, introducing another OIG bill in 2012. OIGs help arrest bad behavior by powerful politicians, their family and friends, so it took quite a while for the stars to align themselves for this bill to become acceptable to them.
Typical activities of our OIG?
See http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/05/21/4878692/inspector-general-sc-has-significant.html.
DHHS estimates that state Medicaid fraud alone is about 10 percent of expenditures: $5 billion x 10% = $500 million annually.
To be fair, Gov. Haley initially created a “mini” version of the OIG — authorized to investigate waste, fraud and abuse in her cabinet (13 agencies) — a year earlier, on March 11, 2011, by Executive Order. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWSbCJxZPe0. But her appointed IG, George Schroeder, quit after a few months, complaining that her office gave him no support.
The legislatively-created OIG has purview over 101 state entities, including state colleges and universities.
The OIG’s 2012-13 budget was $328,000 (3 employees), basically keeping it from doing its job of overseeing some 60,000 state employees.
The OIG’s 2013-14 proposed budget is $616,000 (7 employees — see lines 31-32 at http://www.scstatehouse.gov/query.php?search=DOC&searchtext=inspector%20general&category=BUDGET&year=2013&version_id=3&return_page=&version_title=Senate Finance&conid=&result_pos=&keyval=27065&numrows=10).
Yesterday, the state budget, H. 3710 had its third reading. I hope the increased OIG budget is included, but cannot verify that.
http://www.stateintegrity.org ranks South Carolina as “fifth most corrupt” state government in the nation. Only eight other states have statewide OIGs. The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper published a story, “SC inspector general ‘scares’ lawmakers” on Jan. 15, 2013 (http://www.thestate.com/2013/01/15/2590933/state-election-commission-90-percent.html). This cannot be all bad!
Inspector General Pat Maley, who can be removed from his position only “for cause,” a former career FBI special agent with an accounting background, is independent and totally free from political interference. See http://oig.sc.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
~~~~~
“Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial
diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric
light the most efficient policeman.”
~~~~~
— Jock Stender, Charleston
Kara Brurok of the House Ways & Means Committee advises me today that it has approved only half of the OIG’s requested budget, and approved only three of the requested “full time equivalent” (FTE) jobs.
I’ve been told that the Senate Finance Committee has similarly given the OIG’s budget a similar cutback.
The budget is a work in process, is not complete, and must go to a House-Senate Conference Committee and then back to both full bodies for approval.
Who are the legislative champions of the Office of Inspector General? What legislators will come out and publicly support full funding for this “unwanted child”?
Sen. Sheheen?
It would be nice to hear his take on the “short-sheeting” of the OIG.
~~~~~
Incidentally, the quote above about the healthful nature of publicity and sunlight is by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis.
~~~~~
— Jock Stender, Charleston
“S.C. Senator Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden) is once again throwing down the transparency gauntlet for Gov. Nikki Haley to pick up…”
You hardly see gauntlets anymore and when you do, they are always being thrown down.
“S.C. Senator Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden) is once again throwing down the transparency gauntlet for Gov. Nikki Haley to pick up…”
You hardly see gauntlets anymore and when you do, they are always being thrown down.
If Tim Pearson calls him Vince one more time Tim and I are going to have a talk.
If Tim Pearson calls him Vince one more time Tim and I are going to have a talk.