Two Redistricting Public Meetings to be held in Horry County Next Week

Redistricting follows the  2010 Census and the results of Redistricting are important to everyone.

 

April 4 - Monday 

The SC Senate will hold a Public Hearing on Redistricting.    It will be held on the campus of Horry Georgetown TEC, Conway Campus at 6:30pm.  For more information go to http://redistricting.scsenate.gov/

April 7 – Thursday 

The SC House will hold a Public Hearing on Redistricting at 5:00 PM at the Ted C. Collins Law Enforcement Center, 1101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC. For more information go to Http://redistricting.schouse.gov/

On Friday, April 8, at the regularly scheduled 

Beach Dems Breakfast,  the speaker will be Marion Foxworth, Chair of the Horry County Ad hoc Committee on Redistricting.   Marion's comments will be especially interesting following the Horry County 

Redistricting meetings on April 4th and 7th.  The meeting is from  8:00-9:00am at Akels Pancake House, corner of 65th Avenue N. and Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach.  The Breakfast Buffet is $7.00.  For information, contact Sally P. Howard at 843-455-1936.

Republicans get immoral bill through S.C. House

I need not say how appalled I am, but I'll go ahead for the record. I am appalled at South Carolina Republicans for cutting Medicaid payments to doctors who are doing their job - serving the ill.

From one side of the spectrum, we have Republicans who care so much about life before it gets here and the other side where they make it easier for people to drop dead once they get here.

The bill, which would enact a 3 percent across-the-board cut for doctors when they see Medicaid patients, would allow the state's deficit-running Medicaid agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, to save about $70,000 a day between its implementation and June 30.

And why is it running a deficit? Gee, it couldn't because of the ever growing population in this state, the more sick people become and the biggest fact of them all, the state cuts more than brings in to properly maintain the social service.

"We're talking about laying off (hospital workers.) We're talking about making poor people drive 30, 40 miles for emergency care," said state Rep. Bakari Sellers, D-Bamberg, whose district includes Bamberg County Hospital, which is already running a deficit. "It's immoral."

Well, Rep. Sellers? What are people to do? I believe they realize the consequences of their voting now. However, people suffer from so much pain - from being unemployed, sick, homeless, in debt - and basically do not have the tools to cope or fight back.

Rather than lecture to them, I hope the more truth shared will empower them. They aren't alone. I went through almost two years unemployed. With God's help, I made it through. We need to empower people and tell them we'll get through this.

But, those people have to see the truth. We have to help them see it. It is immoral what the Republicans are doing and we have to remind them it can get better with a simple decision - do not vote for the people in power currently.

House Democratic Leader Harry Ott, D-Calhoun, argued the bill has a hidden cost because about $3 in federal funding is lost for each dollar the state does not spend on Medicaid.

With the most respect, Leader Ott, I believe Republicans couldn't care less. Their job is to kill government while saving their paychecks from government.

"No one is going to be denied medical services because of cuts," said state Rep. B.R. Skelton, R-Pickens.

Um, yes, they could be. If a doctor doesn't accept Medicaid and the patient only has Medicaid, then that limits who the patient can see already. Furthermore, you can't expect every sick person to run to the ER. That's not fiscal, is it Republican supporters?

Nikki Haley can't deny the importance of South Carolina ports

Governor Nikki Haley could not deny the importance of South Carolina's ports today as she addressed the amount of exports leaving from our state.

COLUMBIA, SC – Governor Nikki Haley, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the State Ports Authority today announced the state's 2010 exports totaled more than $20.3 billion in goods sold to 192 countries around the world, representing a 23.22 percent increase over 2009 totals. In 2010, South Carolina's 23.22 percent export growth ranked it 17th in the U.S.

"A twenty-three percent increase in exports is only the beginning of what we will continue to see in South Carolina when we work on improving and modernizing our ports system and market our great state to the world," said Gov. Haley.

As more facts begin to come out, action is now the only item missing in regards to "improving and modernizing" the state's ports.

Republicans have been control of this state for decades. Now, the run everything statewide. The First Congressional District has been under Republican rule for more than a decade with minimal action on the Georgetown port.

A stalemate that is Rep. Tim Scott now has the state's governor proclaiming the importance - and success - of our ports and what they can produce when maintained.

"South Carolina continues to see an increase in exports to markets around the world. Both Canada and Germany remain very important trade partners for South Carolina, and China is increasingly becoming an important market for goods made in our state. We look forward to seeing these trends continue in the coming years and the jobs that come with them," said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.

The one thing lacking here, though, is the same dedication to our ports in regards to government support. Nikki Haley has yet visited Washington to proclaim the importance of the Georgetown and Charleston ports. Rep. Tim Scott would rather hold fund raisers at home rather than voice his dire concern to President Obama or others in efforts to secure funds. More so, Scott remains against the earmark process designed to fund public ports.

Locally, state Rep. Kevin Ryan - the port resides in his district - has yet to put forth a bill or initiative to fund the dredging of the Georgetown port. 

Let's face it. The countries mentioned by Hitt fund and maintain their ports. The state of South Carolina postures for the people, even when admitting the facts. There's more that could be done.

Going as far back as 2005, Germany understood.

“Some parts of the federal government have realized how important the deepening of the shipping channels is for the economic growth and creation of jobs in Germany,” Uldall told Fairplay. 

Too bad we have Republicans who don't get that.

"Exporters in South Carolina's manufacturing and agricultural sectors benefit from competitive deepwater port facilities," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority. "And export growth generates jobs in the maritime industry and across the state."

The truth begins to get harder and harder to ignore, especially when a Republican governor wants to exclaim excitement over the success of ports in the state.

Nikki Haley chooses to spew rhetoric over doing her job

South Carolina Governor is living up to her... No, there's no potential here. She's just basically drowning in the GOP mantra and loving every minute of it. Read for yourselves.

Gov. Nikki Haley will speak at the Columbia Tea Party’s annual tax day State House rally April 18.

Haley’s appearance at a Tea Party rally last spring helped launch her gubernatorial campaign. A third-party political group, ReformSC, used footage of Haley speaking at that rally in a commercial during last year’s Republican primary. The ad, run statewide, was the first step in Haley’s move from last in the four-way primary to winning the nomination.

Also speaking at the April 18 rally will be state Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, Treasurer Curtis Loftis and advocates for the FairTax, which would replace state or federal income tax with a flat sales tax.

Rally organizers said the event will focus on the national deficit.

The rally will be Monday, April 18 – the same day that the federal government moved the due date for this year’s income taxes – from noon to 2 p.m. at the State House.

So, the campaign never ended. She just gets paid by taxpayer dollars to continue spewing rhetoric. Wonder whether she needs a password to collect the check off your backs. Hmm?

Republican Sean Duffy says he's 'struggling' on $174K income

Talk about fiscally cnservative. LMAO.

Maintain Current Funding for DHEC Family Planning Services

Dear Rep. Kevin Ryan,


No budget cuts possess long-term ramifications that are more significant than insufficient funding for family planning and reproductive health. Births to teen mothers currently cost our state $180 million a year, and that price tag will skyrocket if teen pregnancy rates rise.

I respectfully ask you to:

1. Maintain current funding levels for family planning services in the DHEC budget.

2. Maintain current funding for teen pregnancy prevention programs in the DSS budget.

By continuing to invest in prevention programs, we can aid more than 250,000 women across the state and prevent 23,500 unintended pregnancies--saving our state millions. We'll also prevent an estimated 38 percent increase in teen pregnancies, giving thousands of young people the opportunity to become healthy, productive citizens.

I recognize the unenviable task you face in making these tough budget decisions. But South Carolina can't afford a future without these critical prevention services. Let's halt a cycle of poverty that has crippled our state for far too long.


Sincerely,

Jamie Sanderson
Georgetown, S.C.  29440

Ports: What's the economic impact?

With the constant talk of dredging the Georgetown port, you'd think major action would have already taken place. We have now gone through a decade without such. So, instead of running down the stalemate that is Congressman Tim Scott, I have decided to provide facts to all who are concerned about growing the economy in Georgetown County and getting unemployment under control.

First, let's start with the economic impact of ports in general. May I remind you our ports are considered public, which is why we rely on government to support and maintain them.

This project has received Congressional approval with the tremendous efforts that Bill Johnson has made to advocate for this project. His continued trips to Washington D.C. have made a loud voice on behalf of the Miami Beach community.

Let's proceed.

Public ports contribute significant benefits to local and regional economies, including generating business development and job opportunities. Commercial port activities in 2007 created employment opportunities for more than 13.3 million Americans, including nearly 12 million who were employed in exporter/importer-related businesses and support industries throughout the U.S. Business activities related to waterborne commerce contributed approximately $3.15 trillion overall to the U.S. economy, and those same businesses paid nearly $212.5 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Seaport activities alone in 2007 accounted for $31.2 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues. (Source - Martin Associates, Lancaster, PA; tel: 717-295-2428; click http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/PDFs/MartinAssociates.pdf for details)

Did you catch that? Did you see the amount paid in federal, state and local taxes? The result? Revenue.

More than that, look at the jobs maintained ports create. Direct, indirect and induced.

 

So, what are some major issues ports face? Let's repeat...

• Providing waterside port access through dredging and dredged material disposal.
   
• Securing resources for intermodal landside access to seaports.
   
• Using transportation trust funds for infrastructure development, not deficit reduction. 

Please reread again and again.

And, so readers do not think it's about the steel mill, let's outline what cargo ports see going out as well as coming.

Ports handle a variety of cargo, including bulk, or loose cargo; break-bulk cargo in packages such as bundles, crates, barrels, and pallets; liquid bulk cargo like petroleum; dry bulk such as grain; and general cargo in steel boxes called containers, which are measured in 20-foot equivalent units, or TEUs. Leading commodities shipped for domestic and foreign trade through U.S. ports:

• Crude petroleum and petroleum products (such as gasoline, aviation fuel, natural gas)
• Chemicals and related products, including inorganic fertilizers
• Coal
• Food and farm products - wheat and wheat flour, corn, soybeans, rice, cotton, coffee
• Forest products - lumber, wood chips
• Iron and steel
• Soil, sand, gravel, rock, stone

Other products include:

• Automobiles, automobile parts and machinery

• Clothing, shoes, electronics, toys 

OK, are you all getting it now?

The Georgetown port, fully maintained, can provide new jobs while sustaining jobs we already have. It's simple. The facts are there. The demand is there. Where's the action to get it done?

Only in conversation.

South Carolina Republicans boast pro-life bills, but no action on job creation or revenue increases

South Carolina Republicans pretty much had a ticker-tape parade at the state house today, yelling hooray for two bills they pushed to victory - for no reason.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. House of Representatives approved new protections today – both for babies “born alive” and for doctors and healthcare workers who object to certain procedures.  

The first bill approved by the House was the “Born Alive” bill. This legislation stipulates that medical officials must provide immediate medical attention to keep alive any baby that is born alive. The “Born Alive” bill brings South Carolina law in line with existing federal law pushed by S.C. Sen. Lindsey Graham.  

The second bill is the “Freedom of Conscience Act,” which allows healthcare workers, doctors, and researchers to object to a specific list of five procedures: in vitro fertilization, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, human cloning, and fetal tissue research. If this bill becomes law, any worker who objects to these procedures may not be fired for objecting to the procedure based on their conscience. Abortion is not included because there are already “conscience” protections in existing laws.

Let the clowns spin it as they want. The truth is these two bills, along with everything else the claim they have achieved for the people, do not provide or sustain jobs in our state. The "born alive" bill is similar to the Born Alive Infant Protection Act signed by President Bush in 2002. A pro-life website even explains what the purpose is for the "Freedom of Conscience Act" below.

The House Judiciary subcommittee also approved a second pro-life bill that prohibits employers from firing or refusing to hire employees who object to participating in abortions or a number of practices, including working with embryonic tissue obtained by destroying human embryos, days old human beings. The Freedom of Conscience Act would allow medical workers like hospital workers, nurses, pharmacists and others to opt out of certain practices,such as providing the morning after pill that can sometimes cause an abortion.

Oh, and here is something else that's funny...

“Today’s votes are another major achievement for conservatives throughout our state,” said House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham. “The Republican Caucus has worked diligently this year on supporting the agenda the voters of our state told us they wanted on the campaign trail last fall – the same election where voters gave the Republican our largest majority ever in the House.”

In other words, this is an achievement to restrict women and their rights, spend more money on items not needed in the state and further drag us into the past. Good work!

However, this was not the agenda of the people in this state. The people wanted us to come out of the economic recession, have more job opportunities and better education. The people of this state wanted to see a balanced budget that kept money in public education and social services.

But, again, you people are conned. The Republicans pushed their own agenda, even when truth was in their faces.

As the economic recession continued through fiscal year 2009, state tax revenues fell significantly, with only five states collecting more in 2009 than they had in 2008. Among the 45 states that collected less in 2009, many saw declines of more than 10 percent--all this despite the many tax hikes that states enacted. In addition to presenting new Census data for 2009 and comparing it to 2008, we take a look back at the last decade, examining tax revenue by type to identify the sources of tax volatility.

South Carolina had a negative 16.8 percentage change in state revenue. Get that? We lost revenue because of all the Republican tax breaks.

The type of tax cuts will surprise you - and it shouldn't if you pay attention. (Table 2)

Stable revenue is an important goal for state tax policy, and the year-to-year percentage change by source can give us a rough idea of the volatility of certain taxes. Table 3 illustrates the higher volatility associated with taxation of income, both corporate and individual. Corporate income has by far the greatest amount of volatility. Sales taxes tend to be more stable, although many states have made their sales taxes more volatile by excluding groceries and other large areas of consumer goods and services.

South Carolina's corporate tax saw a negative 37.4 percentage change. So, who are they favoring?

Not the people. Not your agenda. Get wise to this.

Where's the job creation for a state sitting at a rate 10.2 in unemployment. Not in these bills.

Password? What Password, Gov. Nikki Haley?

Yesterday Governor Haley was again asked about the discrepancy between the job application that said her income was $125,000 and the tax return that said it was $22,000. 

Once again her answer opened the door to even more questions!  As you know, Lexington Medical Center has insisted that the application could only be filled out by someone who knew all of her personal information (Social Security number, previous employers, etc.) plus the computer sign-in, password, and security question created by Haley herself.  The governor said yesterday that there was no password—and then told a reporter that the password was the name of her high school!

South Carolina Republicans continue to amaze me with their arrogance!  They think no rules apply to them, and they believe the voters will never see through their lies.  We've once again updated our GOP scandal website with a great new video.  Click to take a look!

And if you’d like to help us keep reminding SC voters that elections have consequences, make a contribution today by clicking here.  

Watch Governor Haley reveal her nonexistent password-- here’s the clip from WSPA.

  

Carol Fowler, Chair

VIDEO: Tucson 'Fix Gun Checks' Rally

“Enacting this legislation will help prevent other families from experiencing the terrible loss that we have suffered.”

That’s what Ross Zimmerman, father of Rep. Giffords’ slain staff member, Gabe Zimmerman, said at the Fix Gun Checks rally yesterday in Tucson, AZ. This was the first time that victims of the January 8 mass shooting stood with civic leaders to call for a specific change to our nation’s guns laws.

It was a truly powerful event as families and civic leaders came together to call for critical gun reforms. Speakers at the rally included Dr. Peter Rhee, Chief of Trauma at UMC and the attending surgeon who treated Rep. Giffords, victims Randy Gardner and James Fuller, and Patricia Maisch, who stopped the deranged killer from reloading.

Watch the video from the Tucson Rally and share it with your friends and family.
 

Our National Drive to Fix Gun Checks began one month after the tragedy in Tucson, and since then our team has traveled from coast to coast, raising awareness of the 34 Americans murdered with guns every day and building support for the Fix Gun Checks Act of 2011.

Each stop on the tour has moved us closer to our goal of fixing the broken background check system. But the Tucson rally was a deeply personal and important milestone for everyone involved.

Now, as the Fix Gun Checks truck heads back east, we’re counting on supporters like you to build on this momentum and keep the pressure on Congress to take action.

See highlights from the Tucson Rally to Fix Gun Checks and share the video today.

Thank you for standing with the Tucson community and supporting their efforts to stop these senseless shootings.

Sincerely,
Mayors Against Illegal Guns

P.S. -- You can follow the National Drive to Fix Gun Checks on Facebook or Twitter.

South Carolina can't get out of the past

It's really shocking to see in this day and age a state stick in the past as much as South Carolina does. But, people here voted for it.

South Carolina lawmakers are relying on the 1980's "trickle-down" schemes to revitalize the state's economy, not realizing it never worked to begin with.

I suppose it's part of the new GOP talking points issued out this month in a shiny bulletin. Sarcasm, but in reality it has to be marching orders. First Congressional District Tim Scott is putting it to work.

So, it comes with no surprise to see this...

Other tax credit bills on the agenda relate to jobs. Proposals are meant to encourage wealthy people to invest in start-up South Carolina companies, and companies to locate or expand their headquarters here.

Gee, wealthy people are being shown the door, kicked off trustee boards and given scraps under Republican Nikki Haley. You really think offering to destroy the state any more is going to entice them?

Call Your SC Attorney General Now

TODAY we make our voices heard.  With the Attorneys General starting negotiations with the big banks this week, we need tell the AGs to stand with us and not the banks.   

SC Attorney General Alan Wilson needs to hear from you today.

The 50-state Attorneys General have the opportunity to provide justice for millions of homeowners and restore our economy by delivering a strong settlement to the big banks' fraudulent foreclosure practices.  But the big bank’s lobby and spin machine is already in overdrive, trying to weaken a middle-of-the-road settlement proposal suggested by the Attorneys General.


Together with our allies nationwide, our goal is to generate 10,000 calls and send a clear message to our Attorneys General to come out in support of a strong settlement.  Will you be one of those 10,000 calls?

Call SC Attorney General Alan Wilson right now at 866-200-6444 and demand nothing less than a strong settlement against the big banks.  Tell your Attorney General, “My Name is [SAY NAME.]  I am a resident of SC. The Attorney General must come out in support a settlement that provides justice for millions of homeowners and holds the big banks accountable for their crimes. Nothing less is acceptable.”   


Let your Attorney General know it’s time to choose a side - the homeowners they’ve sworn to protect or the big banks that broke the law and bankrupted the economy.

And, be sure to tell us how the call went.

Thank you,
PICO National Network
National People's Action
Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment
Industria Areas Foundation Southeast
Alliance for a Just Society



P.S. Help spread the word about today’s call-in day!  Join and share the Crime Shouldn’t Pay Facebook page and forward this email to your friends and family.