SCDP: The Nikki Haley Economic Record

As Governor Haley stands up at the Chamber of Commerce today – her failed economic record and a lot of history weigh heavy in the air.

First, flash back to 2010, when the Chamber of Commerce endorsed both her GOP opponent and her Democratic opponent rather than siding with Governor Haley:

“The Chamber is sticking with Sheheen, and the Haley camp isn’t holding back. ‘The state Chamber is a big fan of bailouts and corporate welfare, so it’s no surprise that they would prefer a liberal like Vincent Sheheen over a conservative like Nikki Haley,’ Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey said earlier this week, according to the AP.” [TPM,7/9/10]

Then recall her failed record on two key policies that the Chamber, Sen. Vincent Sheheen, and democrats have pushed for during the legislative session:

Governor Haley was silent on public education while her administration has staunchly opposed expanding 4k: “Twin bills in the state Senate and S.C. House – sponsored by state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Kershaw, and state Rep. James Smith, D-Richland – would expand full-day kindergarten statewide to 4-year-olds who come from low-income families. But not everyone agrees the state needs more 4-year-old kindergarten programs. State Education Superintendent Mick Zais does not support any expansion, unconvinced the programs produce any lasting benefits, said spokesman Jay Ragley. [The State, 2/9/13]

Governor Haley herself admitted that improving roads and bridges was not a priority, instead she was focused on inserting politics into the debate on ethics reform: “Gov. Nikki Haley says a Senate road-funding plan isn’t one of her legislative priorities with three weeks to go to the end of this year’s legislative session….Asked by GreenvilleOnline.com for her feelings about the road-funding bill pending in the Senate, she said, “DOT is not something I’ve even looked at. My focus has been on ethics, it’s been on (the Department of Administration), it’s been on getting the budget passed. It’s on all those things sitting at the finish line that we need to push over.” [Greenville News, 5/21/13]

Plus, despite Governor Haley’s many press conferences, the harsh truth of South Carolina’s economic situation under her failed leadership is apparent:

Today, South Carolina was ranked fifth-worst country in kids’ overall wellbeing, dropping nine spots from last year in the economic wellbeing of children.  “South Carolina ranks better than just five states in the overall wellbeing of its children, according to a national report released Monday. The Kids Count survey from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that the overall ranking of the state’s children slipped two spots from last year’s report, to 45th overall in children’s ability to succeed. The report uses a variety of indicators to come up with a state’s ranking, like economics, education and health. Kids Count ranked South Carolina children’s economic well-being at 44th in the country, a drop of nine spots from last year.” [AP, 6/24/13]

Last Friday, the new economic report showed that South Carolina had the second-worst May in the last 10 years, and still has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. “Pennsylvania experienced the largest over-the-month decrease in non-farm payroll employment (not Seasonally Adjusted) with 9,200 jobs lost, followed by South Carolina (-7,700) and Florida (-6,200), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.” [Brevard Times, 6/21/13]

That’s all on top of the fact that South Carolina has one of the worst economic mobility rates in the country… South Carolina is one of the hardest places to achieve the American Dream, with the third worst economic mobility rate in the country. “Southern states, led by Louisiana and South Carolina, have the worst economic mobility in the country, according to a new study.” [Pew Center on the States, 5/10/12];

…and is one of the hardest places in the nation to earn a living. South Carolina is the 5th hardest state in the nation to earn a living. “A combination of low wages and high unemployment have landed South Carolina in the bottom 10 twice before, and those conditions persist. In addition, people in the state gave it the country’s fifth-worst rating for quality of work environment.” [MoneyRates.com, 4/1/13]

So, while she stands up at the SC Chamber of Commerce today, will Governor Haley explain her past opposition to common-sense policies like expanding 4-year-old Kindergarten and improving roads and bridges that will not only benefit the economy but also improve quality of life in South Carolina?

Hopefully she has seen the light and reconsidered her position on these important, economically-responsible measures that the Chamber, democrats, and Sen. Vincent Sheheen have fought for over the past seven years.

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