Ease off those guys, legislatin' is hardBy Brian Hicks (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, July 25, 2008
 It's a good thing state lawmakers have decided to work over the summer on South Carolina's education funding problem. For a minute there, it looked like we were in trouble. On Tuesday, a study committee of House members met to try to come up with a way out of the box they've put themselves in: how to pay for the ever-increasing cost of educating children and still keep whacking the living snot out of state taxes every year. Some people might say Houdini couldn't escape from that box, but don't underestimate the General Assembly. Since December, this panel has been taking "testimony" — just like Congress — and this week many of them made important speeches. Now, nothing got done, but come on, Speaker Harrell gave 'em until November. To show you how important this is, here's an interesting statistic: Education costs make up close to half the state's $7 billion annual budget, making it by far South Carolina's biggest expense. You might wonder why, if it's such a big part of what the state does, legislators didn't focus on it during the five solid months they spent in Columbia the first part of the year. That's a fair question, but there are many, many things lawmakers have to do while they are in session, important duties that keep them all tied up during a General Assembly. It takes weeks of committee meetings and floor votes to get all those specialty license plates approved. And then there's the staff time it takes to write up memorials to every sports team, Kiwanis Club and campaign contributor, uh, constituent who shows up. Then they have to figure out ways to bend state law to allow their local communities to do something that's really, really important for them, like going against court orders to allow vanity towns to incorporate. By the end of the day, there's just no time or energy left to deal with a complex funding formula few people understand, not to mention an equitable — and politically palatable — way to distribute the money. It's all they can do to make it the nightly receptions for groups like the York Association of Hibachi Owners Organization. Besides, it's just human nature to put off the big job. Sure, schools could be more efficient, but there's more to it than that. They threw $145 million at schools this year, and that was only about a 5 percent increase. What more do you want? Just because inflation affects everyone else, it's not supposed to apply to government operations. The problem is that there is a tough decision to be made. Unless they give in to some of their colleagues — who believe the way to save public schools is to give their money to private schools, cutting their funding even more — they are either going to have to cut funding for the Grits Festival or raise taxes. Neither is an attractive option. So this panel plans to meet every couple of weeks for the rest of the summer and into the fall, and maybe they'll get something done. They would have done more Tuesday, but they were kind of busy filling out per diem forms. They'll try again on Aug. 5 up at the Capitol. Give 'em a call, tell them how much you support them. Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 8 comment(s)
Posted by lou9 on July 25, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Waah, waah, waah. Our poor overworked legislators. I've never heard of a group "working" so hard and accomplishing so little. If they focused on taking care of the business of the citizens of South Carolina instead of worrying about their individual fifedoms and "what's in it for me" mentality they would solve these problems.
As far as education, here's an idea: raise the sales tax another 1 or 2 percent, assign a dollar figure per pupil statewide, and the state takes over funding from the school districts. Let the money assigned to the student follow that student whether they go to public, private, or home school. Just an idea.
Posted by ginj on July 25, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lou9 - good idea, but it just won't work. Once you put money into a politicians hands it never goes where it's intended. It's high time we make them accountable for every dollar they spend. Earmarks must stop (i.e. It's nice to help out that museum no one goes to, but if it can't make it on it's own, we should not have to pay for it).
Posted by Thomas1776 on July 25, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I lost all respect for them over this out of control illegal mexican problem. The law they passed still sucks and does nothing. It's just a smoke screen.
Our legislators are corrupt crooks who do not take anything serious. Senator Robert Ford is a prime example just as EX Senator Randy Scott. Both are complete jerks.
Posted by Thewexler on July 25, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas I agree with you on Robert Ford. In the private sector this guy probably couldn't get a job as Bozo the Clown in the circus. I have never seen such a pathetic blabbering idiot of a politician as Senator Ford. This guy is such an embarrassment.
Posted by KidYendor on July 25, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't have to much of a problem with do nothing legislators because 90% of the time when they do do something it is to outlaw something or tax us more for something. I would rather them sit around and have parties and leave us alone than to think what they can do to us next. Schools get plenty of money but I agree they are burdened by superflous members of the procreating welfare state with their wild children and lack of married parenting.
Posted by zoomru on July 25, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Brian..........
Obviously...your a lot better writer than I.
My fellow journalistic Citizen; if YOU will keep water torturing them with articles like this ONCE a week, I WILL keep continuing to BEAT THEM over the HEAD with a BASE BALL BAT every possible day I can. I don't care if they are too good to read my tribing; but at least they know I don't beat around the BUSH.
OUR STATE DESERVES BETTER.....Not too small and not too BIG and with the quality of workforce?!?! There is NO EXCUSE..NONE!!!
Posted by PalmettoDP on July 25, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
KidYendor - I agree. I would take this legislature any day over the ones in some other states.
Whenever you hear of legislative panels and special committees, you can usually expect them to call for tax increases to fix whatever problem they're studying.
Taxes are necessary to support schools and such, but we should demand more accountability in how our money is spent.
Posted by Eyes_N_Skies on July 25, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!