Showing posts with label House of Representatives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label House of Representatives. Show all posts
The Dissipating Strength of our South Carolina Incumbents?
According to an article by The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza, recent elections in our neighboring states have proven that the power wielded by incumbents running for re-election, well, just... isn't there anymore.
Cillizza says "Voters don't like incumbents these days", pointing to recent defeat of NJ Governor Jon Corzine and the fact that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg barely managed to eke out a win even after far outspending his challenger.
Notably, Cillizza also remarks, "While it's likely that any sustained sentiment of this sort will hurt Democrats more than Republicans, this sort of political environment is decidedly unpredictable and could lead to surprising defeats for presumed safe incumbents -- of both parties -- next November." He says constitutents are quite simply just not intrigued by the politicians they currently have in office.
This comment is particularly interesting because in South Carolina, while Democratic incumbents are certainly susceptible to failure, our state is traditionally dominated by Republicans. So, for example, how will Cillizza's prediction play out when it comes to powerhouse incumbents Jim DeMint and Joe Wilson?
On top of that, we have side spin of the Mark Sanford affair, and how that issue affects the South Carolina Republican Party's candidates should prove quite interesting. Don't forget to read the full article from WaPo.
Cillizza says "Voters don't like incumbents these days", pointing to recent defeat of NJ Governor Jon Corzine and the fact that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg barely managed to eke out a win even after far outspending his challenger.
Notably, Cillizza also remarks, "While it's likely that any sustained sentiment of this sort will hurt Democrats more than Republicans, this sort of political environment is decidedly unpredictable and could lead to surprising defeats for presumed safe incumbents -- of both parties -- next November." He says constitutents are quite simply just not intrigued by the politicians they currently have in office.
This comment is particularly interesting because in South Carolina, while Democratic incumbents are certainly susceptible to failure, our state is traditionally dominated by Republicans. So, for example, how will Cillizza's prediction play out when it comes to powerhouse incumbents Jim DeMint and Joe Wilson?
On top of that, we have side spin of the Mark Sanford affair, and how that issue affects the South Carolina Republican Party's candidates should prove quite interesting. Don't forget to read the full article from WaPo.
Joe Wilson Amps Up the Tweets
Piggybacking on our most recent blog post about hiring professionals to handle your Web 2.0, we'd be remiss if we didn't take the opportunity to remark on Congressman Joe Wilson's recent decision to hire a professional Tweeter.That's right, Representative Wilson, following his now-infamous "You Lie!" heckler's shout during President Obama's healthcare speech last week, has suddenly been thrust into the national spotlight. Pre "You Lie!", Wilson was a somewhat under the radar Congressman; a lesser-known Republican who was for the most part seen as congenial and easy-going. But with those two words uttered amongst the sanctity of a televised Presidential address, he suddenly catapulted himself to a whole new level of notoriety.
The chosen Wilson pro Tweeter is David All, a new media strategist whose Web 2.0 firm caters to conservative clientele. All's role ala Joe Wilson is to maintain a constant stream of Twitter updates on behalf of Congressman Wilson as well as to promote him across the political and news blogosphere. Before All stepped in to tidy up Wilson's reputation, the Congressman's Twitter account hadn't been updated since early August. Wilson is now on a roll, spewing out upwards of ten or more tweets a day.
Our point comes down to the mere fact that as amusing as Wilson's professional Tweeter hire may be, it is part of a broader strategy for the Congressman. By hiring All, Wilson is attempting to deflect some of the controversy through professionally-managed social media outreach. Meanwhile, many grassroots supporters and even many fellow Republicans have come out to back Wilson and his anti-Obamacare platform. Wilson seems to be even now using the whole episode as part of a larger tidal wave to keep his name in the media, and on the Web, and to promote his upcoming Congressional race (and raise money at the same time!).
Joe Wilson has certainly made a name for himself in South Carolina and across the country, and with his constant social media presence seems to be launching a PR campaign of his own. Check out his most recent in a string of YouTube videos, "I Will Not be Muzzled".
Tim Brett and Jim Morton: Make a cigarette tax increase happen
In case you don't receive the Greenville News, we are publishing below a Brett Op-Ed piece that ran on Friday, August 28, regarding the cigarette tax issue in South Carolina. Read the article at the Greenville News web site here.
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Make a cigarette tax increase happen
For the past nine years, legislation to increase the state cigarette tax has come before the South Carolina General Assembly that would financially boost Medicaid by providing health-care coverage for many of our state's poorest residents and also pay for smoking prevention programs. And for the past nine years, that legislation has failed to become law.
Make a cigarette tax increase happen
For the past nine years, legislation to increase the state cigarette tax has come before the South Carolina General Assembly that would financially boost Medicaid by providing health-care coverage for many of our state's poorest residents and also pay for smoking prevention programs. And for the past nine years, that legislation has failed to become law.
It would seem reasonable to assume that a bill which would be so valuable to our state's health should be a legislative no-brainer. Not only would disadvantaged South Carolinians get health-care coverage, but smokers would hopefully be encouraged to give up the habit, and others would be dissuaded from ever starting. But year after year, a number of bumps in the road continue to prevent our state's neediest citizens from getting the Medicaid assistance many of them literally cannot live without.
In 2008 it appeared South Carolina would join the legion of other states, as well as the District of Columbia, that have increased cigarette taxes. The House and Senate passed legislation to increase the then 7-cent tax to a reasonable 50-cent tax, which would still be the lowest rate of taxation on cigarettes in the nation, only to have the bill vetoed by Gov. Mark Sanford, who held tight to his no-new-taxes stance.
During this year's legislative session, cigarette tax bills once again came to the floor of both chambers and once again were not passed, this time due to a battle over different versions. The House version would have offered maximum tax credits of $3,000 to people making up to $21,000 annually.
The Senate version of the legislation argued that the House plan would only create unnecessary bureaucratic and overhead costs by distributing the money on an individual basis. The Senate's alternative lobbied instead for the tax money to go straight into expansion of Medicaid programs, which would additionally have procured the state $3 in matching federal funds for every Medicaid dollar spent. At the close of the 2009 South Carolina legislative session, the battle over the expenditure of the proceeds was still undecided, shutting the door once again on a new state cigarette tax.
According to a recent Families USA research study, 670 people a week lose their health-care coverage in South Carolina. Yet we still have the lowest cigarette tax of any state in the nation and rank last among states in funding smoking prevention programs.
Our House and Senate seem to have reached a general consensus that it's time to raise the cigarette tax, because the issue continues to come up year after year. Now it's just a matter of untangling the web of disagreement between members of the General Assembly and the governor so we can get the job done in 2010.
Call or write your legislator and let them know your thoughts on the cigarette tax bill. To find your legislator, visit http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ and click “Find Your Legislator” in the left-hand column.
In 2008 it appeared South Carolina would join the legion of other states, as well as the District of Columbia, that have increased cigarette taxes. The House and Senate passed legislation to increase the then 7-cent tax to a reasonable 50-cent tax, which would still be the lowest rate of taxation on cigarettes in the nation, only to have the bill vetoed by Gov. Mark Sanford, who held tight to his no-new-taxes stance.
During this year's legislative session, cigarette tax bills once again came to the floor of both chambers and once again were not passed, this time due to a battle over different versions. The House version would have offered maximum tax credits of $3,000 to people making up to $21,000 annually.
The Senate version of the legislation argued that the House plan would only create unnecessary bureaucratic and overhead costs by distributing the money on an individual basis. The Senate's alternative lobbied instead for the tax money to go straight into expansion of Medicaid programs, which would additionally have procured the state $3 in matching federal funds for every Medicaid dollar spent. At the close of the 2009 South Carolina legislative session, the battle over the expenditure of the proceeds was still undecided, shutting the door once again on a new state cigarette tax.
According to a recent Families USA research study, 670 people a week lose their health-care coverage in South Carolina. Yet we still have the lowest cigarette tax of any state in the nation and rank last among states in funding smoking prevention programs.
Our House and Senate seem to have reached a general consensus that it's time to raise the cigarette tax, because the issue continues to come up year after year. Now it's just a matter of untangling the web of disagreement between members of the General Assembly and the governor so we can get the job done in 2010.
Call or write your legislator and let them know your thoughts on the cigarette tax bill. To find your legislator, visit http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ and click “Find Your Legislator” in the left-hand column.
DeLay Takes Steps Toward New Notoriety
The ultra-trendy hit reality television show "Dancing with the Stars" today announced the new lineup of stars for its upcoming season, including former Congressman and Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. DeLay, a 62-year old Texan once called "The Hammer" because of hi
s political counterblows, joins an odd cast of characters including Kelly Osbourne, Debi Mazar, Kathy Ireland and Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin, among others.
s political counterblows, joins an odd cast of characters including Kelly Osbourne, Debi Mazar, Kathy Ireland and Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin, among others.If you recall, a Texas grand jury indicted DeLay on criminal charges for conspiring to violate campaign finance laws, though the case has never come before a jury. DeLay has also been tied to unconfirmed rumors that he was part of a scandal involving embattled lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Twitter has been burning up today with talk of DeLay's future role as King of Swing. WSPA Daybreak Anchor Fred Cunningham made us laugh with his Twitter tweet referencing Rod Blagojevich: "Wonder what 'Dancing w/Stars' casting meeting is like. 'How about Tom DeLay? Cool, if we can't get Blago, sign him!' "
We are most interested to see not only how far in the competition DeLay can go, but how this new role will affect his slightly marred conservative firebrand reputation. Perhaps this will show his gentler, more affable side?
Reaching Out to Your Legislator (Part II)
Reaching Out to Your Legislator (Part II) – Powerful Tips for Writing to Your Legislator that Will Get YOUR Letter Noticed
When you’ve been moved by an issue enough that you decide to write to your legislator, make your effort worthwhile by going that extra mile to craft your words so that your letter is the one that makes them stop and pay attention. Legislators on both the state and federal level get mail and email every day from constituents like you, and while they represent your interests, it’s your job to churn out that dynamic letter that will make the legislator and/or his or her staff take notice. Here are some of Brett’s Best Tips do just that:
1. Who are you? Make sure you identify yourself off the bat. Why you are passionate about this issue? Include information about any key connections to the issue or any related organizations you are part of (but no bragging, please). This is also the appropriate time to let the legislator know that you are from his or her district. Legislators like to hear from their constituents, and are more likely to act on constituent opinion.
2. Be specific. If you are writing about a particular bill, reference that legislation not only by its bill number, if you have that handy, but its name and a brief description. Legislators see a whopping amount of legislation each year. You can take the bull by the horns and help them out by more clearly identifying your cause.
3. Simplicity reigns supreme. Always keep your letter to one page or less, be as brief as you possibly can while still providing the adequate information. If you have personal examples or details you wish to share, by all means do so, but don’t unnecessarily prolong your point.
4. Common courtesy always counts. Address them by their proper title (such “Senator” or “Representative” followed by name) and include their mailing address at the top of the communication regardless of whether you are sending a physical letter or an email. And please, please don’t threaten them or berate them, or tell them that you supported their opponent in the last election.
5. Get to the point. Specify the response you are looking for from them, be it a policy change, legislation, or a simple follow-up from them or their staff. (and then thank them!)
Remember that it’s usually a best practice to only write to the representatives or senators who represent your district. The fact that they are from your geographical area has much more pull when it comes to getting results. Almost all legislators can be contacted via email as well as regular postal mail, and you can oftentimes send them a message via the internet. To find out how to contact your Congressional senators and representatives, visit the Congressional Directory. To find your South Carolina legislators’ addresses or email information, visit the South Carolina statehouse website and click “Find Your Legislator” on the left-hand side.
When you’ve been moved by an issue enough that you decide to write to your legislator, make your effort worthwhile by going that extra mile to craft your words so that your letter is the one that makes them stop and pay attention. Legislators on both the state and federal level get mail and email every day from constituents like you, and while they represent your interests, it’s your job to churn out that dynamic letter that will make the legislator and/or his or her staff take notice. Here are some of Brett’s Best Tips do just that:
1. Who are you? Make sure you identify yourself off the bat. Why you are passionate about this issue? Include information about any key connections to the issue or any related organizations you are part of (but no bragging, please). This is also the appropriate time to let the legislator know that you are from his or her district. Legislators like to hear from their constituents, and are more likely to act on constituent opinion.
2. Be specific. If you are writing about a particular bill, reference that legislation not only by its bill number, if you have that handy, but its name and a brief description. Legislators see a whopping amount of legislation each year. You can take the bull by the horns and help them out by more clearly identifying your cause.
3. Simplicity reigns supreme. Always keep your letter to one page or less, be as brief as you possibly can while still providing the adequate information. If you have personal examples or details you wish to share, by all means do so, but don’t unnecessarily prolong your point.
4. Common courtesy always counts. Address them by their proper title (such “Senator” or “Representative” followed by name) and include their mailing address at the top of the communication regardless of whether you are sending a physical letter or an email. And please, please don’t threaten them or berate them, or tell them that you supported their opponent in the last election.
5. Get to the point. Specify the response you are looking for from them, be it a policy change, legislation, or a simple follow-up from them or their staff. (and then thank them!)
Remember that it’s usually a best practice to only write to the representatives or senators who represent your district. The fact that they are from your geographical area has much more pull when it comes to getting results. Almost all legislators can be contacted via email as well as regular postal mail, and you can oftentimes send them a message via the internet. To find out how to contact your Congressional senators and representatives, visit the Congressional Directory. To find your South Carolina legislators’ addresses or email information, visit the South Carolina statehouse website and click “Find Your Legislator” on the left-hand side.
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