Thoughts on John Spratt, Libya and state budgeting

ROCK HILL, S.C. — If Jack Spratt could eat no fat, then John Spratt could not stomach bad budgeting. Hundreds gathered Sunday in Rock Hill to honor the 28 years of service in Congress for Spratt, the former Democratic House budget chair ousted in November in a nasty November race. As always, Spratt was the quiet Southern gentleman who spoke to everyone, thanked them for their help as they were thanking him for his time in Washington.

Group urges moral decisions on state budget

FEB. 11, 2011 – Finally, somebody has the guts to say what tax-shy lawmakers need to hear: Taxes need to be raised responsibly to crush the culture of cuts that infects the Statehouse.

Legislators might find this group hard to ignore: ministers from 17 different denominations with 4,500 congregations that make up the S.C. Christian Action Council, a 78-year-old organization with its roots in movements for temperance and civil rights.

Be careful what you ask for

South Carolinians are about to get the state government they asked for. Faced with a billion dollar shortfall due to the end of federal stimulus money, a recalcitrant economy and rising health care costs, the ruling Republican elite are expected to use only one major tool in their toolbelt to deal with the budget: cuts.

How 2 words caused real problems

APRIL 30, 2010 – This is the story about how just two words can have a big impact on courtroom workers. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. …

Cut the cutting: Budget from view of state’s poor

FEB. 26, 2010 – Maybe state lawmakers should think about how their budget proposals look to someone who doesn’t earn much.

The House Ways and Means Committee this week approved a $5.1 billion budget recommendation that will be the focus of legislative debate starting March 8. Due to the tepid economy, state revenues aren’t robust. In fact, the budget is $5.1 billion – more than a billion less than just a couple of years back.