***Palmetto Morning Presented by Jim Dyke & Associates***
THIS FIRST — “HUGE DEFICITS” — The budget projects that the deficit will peak at nearly $1.6 trillion in the current fiscal year, a post-World War II record, and then decline but remain at economically troublesome levels over the remainder of the decade. In the coming fiscal year 2011, which begins in October, the projected shortfall would be under $1.3 trillion.
QUOTE — Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., chairman of the House Budget Committee, “On both the budget and the economy, there are hard choices ahead of us.”
HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Shakira — Phil’s shadow might lie but her hips don’t
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NATIONAL LENS — COPENHAGEN ACCORD — When President Obama hammered out an agreement with leaders of China, India, Brazil and South Africa in the waning hours of the U.N.’s climate-change summit in Copenhagen in December, they saved the long-running global-warming negotiation process from total disintegration. But it may have been just a stay of execution. While climate legislation isn’t dead by any means — it still has powerful supporters on Capitol Hill, including Republican Senator Lindsey Graham — it faces an uphill battle in an election year.
SHOW ME THE MONEY — South Carolina Rep. John Spratt (D) raised just $77,000 in the final three months of the year although he ended the year with $646,000. RULING: Not terribly encouraging for Democrats hoping he hangs on for one more term.
OUSTED — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has removed a commissioner of the agency that serves the disabled, just eight months after appointing her.
CIGA”REX” TAX — Should smokers pay to keep S.C. teachers in the classroom? State Superintendent of Education and gubernatorial candidate Jim Rex thinks so. The Fairfield County Democrat is working this week to build a statewide coalition of educators and health care advocates to pressure lawmakers into increasing the state’s cigarette tax to the national average of $1.34.
ENDORSEMENT — Columbia Mayor Bob Coble has endorsed Columbia attorney and former lobbyist Dwight Drake’s bid for the Democratic Party gubernatorial nomination. “Dwight understands the challenges facing the Midlands, and his experience working for Governors John West and Dick Riley makes Dwight the only candidate who can do the job of governor from day one,” Coble said in a news release.
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“SAY NO TO THE GOP” — FOWLER — As we face this critical election year, we should contemplate the behavior of Bauer, Sanford, DeMint, Wilson and Ravenel. Do we really want our beloved state — and its children — to be guided by their examples? I think not.
BARRETT — In the face of the highest unemployment rate in our state’s history, we should not neglect any aspect of economic development.
GREENVILLE — Greenville lands plant, 1,300 jobs
ORANGEBURG — Forbes.com ranks Claflin University for affordability
CONWAY — Teachers placed on leave after arrests outside bar
CHESNEE — Chesnee boy to compete at Westminster dog show
VIEWPOINT — “FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE” — The White House says President Barack Obama’s $3.8 trillion budget proposal for the 2011 fiscal year would cut taxes for 1.7 million South Carolina families and provide other benefits. But Republicans like Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., and Rep. Bob Inglis, R-Travelers Rest, say the budget is fiscally irresponsible.
FINALLY THIS — MORE PUBLICITY FOR SC — ESPN BracketBusters — Cougs get televised matchup
THAT’S IT FOR THIS MORNING – STAY TUNED ON TWITTER OR FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES THAT JUST CAN’T WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW. HAVE A GOOD ONE!
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