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So here's a story Gazette reporter Jeremy Hsieh is working on today.
Gov. Mark Sanford sent out a press release this morning calling out state Sen. Catherine Ceips for abstaining from a committee vote yesterday regarding government restructuring.
The timing of the release of course is curious considering Sanford is good friends with Ceips' opponent, Tom Davis. Davis was Sanford's chief of staff.
Anyway, we're working on this throughout the day. We'd like to know whom else abstained from the vote, but apparent the committee where the vote occurred doesn't keep those records.
Below is Sanford's press release.
Best,
Ian
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
MARK SANFORD, GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joel Sawyer
803-734-2100
Governor Asks Citizens to Make Voices Heard to Sen. Ceips
GOVERNOR SAYS HER VOTE NEEDED ON KEY RESTRUCTURING ISSUE
Columbia, S.C. - May 14, 2008 - Governor Mark Sanford today asked residents in Beaufort County to make their voices heard to Senator Catherine Ceips about the need for her vote on restructuring legislation, after she abstained yesterday from a key vote on amending the Department of Administration bill:
"This bill is not about me or this administration, as it won't even take effect until after I've left office - it's about making government more accountable to the people of this state, and about moving South Carolina one step closer to how government is run in 49 other states," Gov. Sanford said. "Whether it's been in the numerous restructuring studies over the years or more recently in the GEAR report, we've seen time and time again that our current government structure is unaccountable, because when everyone is in charge, no one is in charge. To that end, I'd ask everyone down in Beaufort County who cares about the idea of making government more efficient and more accountable to call Senator Ceips and ask her to take a stand for this bill.
"I would simply add that I read in the paper this morning that Senator Ceips left a candidate debate early, because she felt she needed to be in Columbia doing the business of the Senate. While I would certainly applaud the idea of putting one's duty as an officeholder ahead of one's duty as a candidate, it certainly raises questions when on a key vote that person chooses to abstain and in fact not take a stand one way or the other."
The bill, H.3590 - which last month unanimously passed the House - would for the first time create a Department of Administration that would house key administrative support functions currently under the Budget and Control Board. Those functions moved would include the General Services Division, the state's Chief Information Officer, Human Resources, Procurement, and the state Energy Office.
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She bails on the tough issues. Always has, always will.
She has time and energy to talk about the Dixie Chicks and Tacky Horses but refuses to fight budget shortfalls and restructuring that will make our state more efficient.
Cathy, stand up for your constituency! I don't fault you for leaving a debate early but this is ridiculous! Did your handlers not have time to tell you what to do? What good are the principles you tout if you do not have the backbone to TAKE A POSITION, any position.
As for your "reform caucus" that is orchestrated by political shill Shealy,
What, exactly, are you reforming if not the efficiency of State Government and the education formula. Anyone can introduce a bill. But if you never vote on anything, or introduce anything that has to do with policy, what gets done?
And the handout that simultaneously trumpets your environmental record along with your support of billboard/takings legislation that removes local ability to determine our future? Do you think we just fell of the tomato truck?
If you like billboards and Columbia so much, MOVE THERE. And we can elect someone with consistent and genuine conservative values.
Oh, wait, nevermind, you are reforming nothing. Except our ability to control our community. Republican in Name Only. Sound Familiar?
Except your promise not to endorse anyone in the Erickson/Bates race. That worked well. Presumably, everything out of your mouth is subject to the caveat of the Erickson/Bates race, "I promise (unless)......"
Give me a break.
What pray tell exactly has our fine governordeveloper done for SC?
We have one the worst education systems, one of the highest unemployment rates, more drunks on our roads, and a governor that can't govern.
Maybe the governor has his hate on for Senator Ceips because she is a woman?
Does make you wonder.
...that about sums it up.
Can anyone tell me one thing the former State Representative Edith Rodgers ever did while she was up there other than offer up decorating tips?
Let's stop the campaign spin and get down to the real world of nasty politics in South Carolina and why Tom Davis would be a disaster in the Senate.
Both Tom Davis and his pal Governor Sanford, who is by the way, the most disliked, ineffective Governor in South Carolina history, are known for their underhanded, back stabing, negative tactics.
For example, Davis and Sanford had ex Governor Jeb Bush run around the state to raise money for Sanford and Davis PACS.
The PACS (political action committees) sole purpose was to fund attacks on members of the General Assembly who they didn't like or get along with.
These two bad news guys really know how to win friends and influence members of the Senate and House don't they.
It's no wonder they couldn't get much accomplished in Columbia.
Has done such a fine job. School system is at the bottom of the barrel and will getting worst. Our interstates are in need of upgrading. And we still have that flag on the statehouse grounds. And we are suppose to elect his puppet davis.
The bill, H.3590 - which last month unanimously passed the House !
State Senator CEIPS: abstaining from a committee vote
Governor SANFORD: "it certainly raises questions when on a key vote that person chooses to abstain and in fact not take a stand one way or the other."
I am not a fan of Gov. Sanford's and don't know this Tom Davis guy. But I think our SENATOR CEIPS has a responsiblty to the residence of BEAUFORT COUNTY to vote and not take the chicken way out by abstaining-which is basically 'not for' 'nor against'. Especially on something that would help save tax payer dollars!
Why would the House of Rep. pass something unanimously and our SENATOR CEIPS do nothing, exucse me, 'abastain' from voting (nice word for doing NOTHING-chicken!) And don't try to spin this into the election race, I expect our SENATOR CEIPS to Represent us! Not go to Columbia to ABASTAIN when asked to vote(Chicken).
ONE Word: COWARD!
COWARD CEIPS !!!!
local29902 said:
"I am not a fan of Gov. Sanford's and don't know this Tom Davis guy"
I don't believe that for one minute. Aren't you laying it on a little thick, the B.S. meter is registering off the charts right now.
The Senator does what she does under her own name and under a microscope. A coward would be the one who engages in name calling and false allegations while hiding their true identity. You are the coward local, you and a couple of others who come here the same way you do. Put some credibility behind your ravings, tell us who you are.
to her constituents with an explanation to her abstention? How simple would that be? Certainly she could do that to her local newspaper.
The following is an excerpt from an article publisehd in the Gazette yesterday. People keep making allegations based on a single comment, and some haven't even bothered to read the entire story right here. There were some more detailed stories in other papers yesterday. Anyway, maybe this will answer your question:
"Ceips said she has been a strong supporter of Sanford's reform agenda since she was elected in 2002. She wrote that she "fully expect(s) to again support the restructuring plan" next week after carefully studying it.
Judiciary Committee meeting minutes don't include a roll call vote, just a tally. The failed vote the governor referred to was to table an amendment that would weaken the bill.
No abstentions were recorded -- a step taken usually only by request. Sawyer contends Ceips was present but did not vote; in a letter in response to a Ceips inquiry, Judiciary Committee Chairman and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell drew a hairsplitting distinction, asserting Ceips "did not abstain on that vote."
In other words, McConnell, Ceips and the meeting minutes do not explicitly say if Ceips voted for the motion, against the motion, or if she voted at all -- just that she did not technically abstain.
The committee meets again Tuesday to consider the disputed amendment."
What the heck is a technical abstention? Is that akin to being a little bit pregnant? Either she voted "yay" in support of the measure or she was against the measure. Now it would seem that this vote wasn't the death knell for the bill so perhaps the Guv is being a little over dramatic but Ceips needs to be a little more forthcoming herself.
Or maybe...just maybe...she was outside checking up on those immigrants who were painting the Statehouse.
needs to be a little more forthcoming.
Why is he using the governor's office to make up stories and campaign for his good old frat buddy Davis?
Isnt that what's wrong with this state according to the governordeveloper - Too many good old boys?
You are right on target UCB.
Maybe these folks have some bridges in Arizona to sell us.
Cipes Just published a cute little newspaper The Beaufort County News. Rod Shealey owns a couple of small town newspapers upstate and is using his presses to produce this prototype. Even got a few legit advertizers. One is really pissed off now that he saw his ad in the politically slanted paper produced only for the Ceips Campain and clearly writen by her campain. Bad photo of Tom Davis and all. Wendys, Animal Hopsital of Beaufort, Beaufort Catering, Lowcountry Bicycles, Beaufort Catering and Cafe, even the YMCA, Beaufort Inn,Southern Carpet Wholesale and creative interiors paid to advertise in this Cipes rag. Wow do they know how this looks for them?
Ceips will go low low low, anything to win a campain. Even put local biz owners in uncomfortable positions as she has by selling ads in this rag for $1. Had a phone salesman "Randy Bates" tell the advertizing biz's that it was a ligit start up paper and a good deal. Lets see if these Biz owners react or wait for the sales slow down.
You could at least read your post before you hit the enter key. You spelled Ceips name 3 different ways, you obviously do not know how to spell other words either. I could care less about this paper you're referring to. It's an embarrassment to read your ignorant response. Honestly, Iron, don't you think that all publications are a tad slanted? As far as business owners worrying about losing business because of marketing in a local paper, one should worry about the demise of our economy hurting their business. In case you didn't notice, Iron, there is a great big world out there. Yes, Iron!! There are much larger problems in this world besides this Senate race. Why don't you log off of your computer, get out of your doublewide and take up a hobby. I hear the fishing is great! You obviously don't have the mental capacity to handle much more than sinking worms.