***Palmetto Morning Presented by Jim Dyke & Associates***
THIS FIRST — HIGHER EDUCATION — A wave of tuition increases has smashed ashore again in South Carolina this year, pushing the state’s highest-in-the-region cost for a college education even higher and raising questions about how long schools can lean on students and parents in dealing with state budget cuts.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Bill “funny sweater” Cosby, Richard “short shorts” Simmons and driving out of Bennettsville Rick Hendrick
***GOT AN EVENT, STORY, TIP OR ANYTHING ELSE ON YOUR MIND YOU WANT INCLUDED IN PALMETTO MORNING? CLICK HERE AND TELL US ABOUT IT***
NATIONAL LENS — NO TIME TO WAIT — The former federal prosecutor who now heads the government agency that oversees offshore drilling says he is not afraid to fine lawbreaking oil companies or even put some executives in jail. But Michael Bromwich says he is not an anti-drilling zealot and will probably take actions that upset both industry groups and those who oppose drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and other sites. “I’m not going to say you can’t drill, but I’m not going to say you should drill and ignore safety and the environment,” he said.
BALANCING ACT— It is officially crunch time for Democrats who are struggling to craft a far-reaching energy and climate change bill slated for debate on the Senate floor this month. After weeks of public and private political sales pitches, senators pushing bills that respond to the BP oil spill and boost “clean” energy find their fate in the hands of Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
FEVER SWAMPS — This should be a Hallelujah year for the Republican Party. It has history on its side — the almost unbroken record of mid-term Congressional losses by the party in the White House — and a sour economy to boot. And yet all is not serene in the Grand Old Party. As South Carolina’s GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham put it last week, even Ronald Reagan would have a hard time getting elected in today’s Republican Party.
FAIR SHARE — So far, eight senators — of both parties — have said they will not seek earmarks. That group includes Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Mike Johanns of Nebraska and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. Democratic Sens. Evan Bayh of Indiana and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin also have agreed not to seek earmarks.
SEVEN — So many Republicans have changed their ideas on so many major issues that it’s hard to keep up. With the return of Congress this week, two of those issues – campaign finance disclosure and climate change – could play out in the Senate over the next month.
What accounts for the shifts? Evolving principles? Pressure from the right? Political Strategy 101, block Democrats and President Obama so they’ll fail and look bad? All of the above? Here are seven reversals that hold clues.
NEW START — President Obama signed a nuclear arms control agreement — the New START treaty — with Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in Prague in April to much fanfare. Senate hearings on the treaty are taking place. But in a reprise of Cold War debates, hard-liners are seeking to block Senate ratification of the treaty, where it needs a two-thirds majority, by depicting the deal as a dangerous sellout to Moscow. The treaty deserves careful scrutiny, but it is in danger of becoming the victim of a hazing campaign.
MORE ACTION — Because his oddball ascent to Democratic U.S. Senate candidate clearly has “movie deal” all over it, Alvin Greene has chosen who he’d like to play him: actor Denzel Washington.
NONE TO NIKKI — Sarah Palin’s political action committee contributed at least $87,500 to candidates she’s endorsed in the last few months, according to a report filed Sunday with the Federal Elections Commission. Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, has been mentioned as a possible contender for the 2012 presidential nomination. She hasn’t ruled out a bid but aides have maintained her focus is on this year’s elections and on getting conservative candidates elected.
ROAD MAP — For Republicans, the road map authored by Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin is the most important proposal in domestic policy since Ronald Reagan embraced supply-side economics in the 1980 presidential campaign. It’s not only the freshest, boldest, and most comprehensive Republican thinking, it’s also the most relevant. For now, the road map has a relatively small but growing cheering section. A dozen House members have endorsed it. Sen. Jim DeMint praised it in his book “Saving Freedom.”
REAL ESTATE — Live Oaks Island is poised to become someone’s personal paradise on the coast. For $4.5 million, it boasts an array of selling points including a half-mile, gated causeway lined with palm trees, a private beach and the distinction of having been in the film “Forrest Gump.” So why have its owners been unable to sell the picturesque, 12-acre property in northern Beaufort County despite slashing their asking price twice in the past six months?
***SIGN UP NOW TO HAVE PALMETTO MORNING DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX EACH MORNING***
2010 WATCH — YOUNGSTERS — S.C. voters have nominated two 30-something candidates for governor, Republican state Rep. Nikki Haley of Lexington County and Democratic state Sen. Vincent Sheheen of Kershaw County. If elected, either would take office before celebrating a 40th birthday. The Sheheen and Haley candidacies continue a long-standing trend among Palmetto State voters of choosing youthful governors.
LATE TO DONATE — State Rep. Nikki Haley didn’t become a campaign cash winner until after she had nearly won a nasty GOP primary outright. An analysis of campaign finance reports filed before Saturday’s midnight deadline shows Haley raised $184,128 between late April and the June 8 primary. But the bulk of the $542,728 she raised since late April came to her campaign only after her 49 percent showing that left her just short of what was needed for the nomination.
TRANSFORMING — Twenty-four students from struggling school districts in counties along the Interstate 95 corridor are in Columbia this week for a Youth-Empowerment Initiative offered by the Columbia Urban League. The career development workshop is part of the Urban League’s efforts to help transform the so-called “Corridor of Shame” into a “Corridor of Pride.”
CHEERS FOR BEER — Gov. Mark Sanford will be in downtown Spartanburg on Tuesday to sign into law a bill that allows breweries and retail stores to give out limited complimentary tastings of beer. With the new law, patrons now can visit a brewery and try up to four 4-ounce samples at the end of a tour, as they’ve been able to do at wineries.
GOAL GETTER — Morgan Bruce Reeves does not do anything small. The former college football player and Green Party and United Citizens Party nominee for governor is selling a “$40 billion plan” to improve state education, build new infrastructure and convert South Carolina to a home-grown, ethanol-based and solar energy economy.
MYRTLE BEACH — S.C. 31′s winding path hits new turn in Myrtle Beach area
CHARLESTON — ‘A call to arms’ — cast asks for help
GREENVILLE — Jesse Jackson marks 50th anniversary of SC sit-in
BLUFFTON — Moms host drive to diaper Bluffton
SPARTANBURG — Spartanburg exterminators say business is booming
RICHLAND — Sellers clearing way for his successor
CHARLESTON — Waterkeeper Buffum up for GQ’s Better Man
FRIPP ISLAND — SC rescue squad rescued when boat takes on water
BLUFFTON — Bluffton student earns teaching fellowship
COLUMBIA — Butterflies delight at EdVenture
JAMES ISLAND — Developer seeks to fill wetlands
VIEWPOINT — ALL-PURPOSE — The envelope from my Graniteville High School classmate, Owen Clary of Aiken, contained a white T-shirt he had designed, with a map of our state on the front and the words, “South Carolina: We don’t make these things up.” Owen thus condemned me to one more column on this cantankerous but lovable little state that a native son from another century referred to as “too small to be a country; too large to be an insane asylum.”
VIEWPOINT II — PARTY MAN — “We’re not well acquainted with U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis, who represents South Carolina’s 4th District, a region that includes Greenville, Spartanburg and Union counties and part of Laurens County. But it’s hard not to want to get to know another person who, like U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, doesn’t let politics get in the way of doing the right thing. Inglis, the 12-year incumbent who was, to put it mildly, trounced in the GOP primary, is one of three Republican incumbents who have lost their seats in Congress this year.”
VIEWPOINT III — ON THE LOOSE — “Who let the elephant out, who, who, who, who? I don’t know who did, but somebody please shut the gate, there’s elephant dung “all over the place.” I’m aware that bears, bob cats, foxes, donkeys, alligators, lizard men and other creatures roam throughout South Carolina, but elephants? Mr. Clyburn warned his flock of this danger, and when politicians speak, we need to heed.”
FINALLY THIS — HE’S GOT TALENT — Myrtle Beach resident Nick Pike hopes danger will take him all the way to a $1 million prize. On Tuesday night, fellow Grand Stranders can watch his attempt on the NBC show “America’s Got Talent” and help him reach his goal by voting for him. But he’d better look sharp – he’s juggling meat cleavers, axes and fiery batons.
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!
You must log in to post a comment.