Dorchester Democrats - Press Releases http://www.dordems.org/p/salsa/web/news/public/rss.sjs eng Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:22:57 -0400 The tough-talking new S.C. Democrats The aggressive strategy of the SCDP is making the news lately.

]]> Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:52:19 -0400 'Confederates for Perry' upstage campaign announcement Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced his presidential campaign from right nearby in Charleston. And right across the street from the facility where Perry made the announcement were a couple of Dorchester Dems, who celebrated with a tongue-in-cheek theme.

]]> Sun, 07 Aug 2011 11:21:39 -0400 Pawleys Island Democrat helps Obama celebrate at 50 Elizabeth Montgomery, an active Democrat in nearby Georgetown County, was one of four Americans who won a trip to the president's recent birthday bash!

(click here to read about it in local press)

]]> Sun, 07 Aug 2011 11:07:37 -0400 Haley breaks promise to aid Voter ID access After signing a controversial Voter ID bill into law earlier this year, South Carolina’s Gov. Nikki Haley has been quick to rebut criticism with promises of aid.

"Find me those people who think that this is invading their rights — find — and I will go take them to the DMV myself and help them get that picture ID,” Haley told Greenville’s FOX Carolina.

And just the other day Robert Tucker, a senior Carolinian and Army veteran, did just that.

But to no avail. He called the governor’s office, only to speak to staff who didn’t know what Tucker was talking about.  Haley’s office declined to aid the senior.

(click here to read the entire story, as well as see the video produced by the SCDP)

]]> Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:57:32 -0400 Chair Harpootlian calls on Tim Scott to apologize Yesterday, South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian called on Congressman Tim Scott (R - SC District 1) to apologize for his irresponsible remark that, in his opinion, using the Fourteenth Amendment to ignore the debt ceiling would be "an impeachable act" on the part of President Obama.

]]> Fri, 08 Jul 2011 03:03:03 -0400 One Dem's opinion: Ard should go Democrat Hirak Pati thinks impeachment and removal would be a more appropriate punishment of the lieutenant governor's dishonesty than just a monetary fine.

]]> Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:38:37 -0400 Some Haley vetoes overriden In an astounding vote of no-confidence from Democrats as well as many Republicans, 25 of Gov. Nikki Haley's 34 line-item budget vetoes were overriden yesterday.

]]> Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:22:05 -0400 Haley vetoes Stroke Prevention Act In a rare moment of complete agreement, state senators and representatives unanimously approved a bill that would address a recognized need in South Carolina. On June 1, they passed S. 588 – a motion to improve the care for and prevention of strokes in the state, which has one of the highest rates of this medical malady and resultant death nationwide.

On June 14, however, Gov. Haley vetoed the bill.


Continue reading on Examiner.com Haley vetoes Stroke Prevention Act
]]> Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:20:34 -0400 Potential loophole to Voter ID, but challenge still needed, says The State Assembly recently passed a bill requiring all voters display a valid identification with photograph in order to participate on election days, a motion that leaves the voting rights of over 178,000 South Carolinians in jeopardy.

A voter who lacks a state-issued photo ID, or whose ID is expired, will not be able to cast a traditional vote on election days after the bill is officially enacted, following its review by the U.S. Dept. of Justice.

While many are attempting to challenge this measure before it goes into effect, there may still be a loophole, however – absentee voting by mail.

]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:41:31 -0400 Haley's bash only for "respectful" legislators There's no such thing as good will for Gov. Haley, though - even when it comes to her own party.

]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:50:01 -0400 Republican leaders go to court against each other; McConnell win As he had promised, Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell (R - Charleston) filed suit against Gov. Nikki Haley on Monday, rather than call the state Senate to order in a special session as the governor had requested.

]]> Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:26:08 -0400 Haley's admin refuses to use federal money for uninsured Now it has come to light that all but about $18,500 of that money is still sitting there and that there are no plans to use it.

]]> Thu, 26 May 2011 00:37:33 -0400 School tax credit plan defeated! By the narrowest of margins, the Education Opportunity Act, which would have given parents voucher-like tax credits to send their children to private schools, went down to defeat in the S.C. House.

]]> Thu, 26 May 2011 12:48:09 -0400 And now for the bad news Yesterday we heard some very good news for public education in South Carolina - the defeat of the Education Opportunity Act. Today, though, there's some bad news...

]]> Mon, 23 May 2011 15:23:50 -0400 Tell your reps - no education vouchers or tax credits!
This is the week that the Voucher/tax credit bill, or as the Republicans title it: The Education Opportunity Bill (H. 3407) will come to the House floor for discussion and vote.

]]> Mon, 23 May 2011 15:29:44 -0400 A message from your new state party 2nd Vice Chair, Melissa Wats Melissa Watson, Chair of the Berkeley County Democratic Party and recently elected Second Vice Chair of the state party, sent the following message to South Carolina Democrats today. It contains important information about the Voter ID Act and how it will impact our voter registration drives.

]]> Sun, 22 May 2011 05:37:09 -0400 Tea Party event fizzles after Trump cancels A planned Tea Party rally on the State House steps, at which hundreds of Tea Party conservatives were anticipated, fizzled to around thirty attendees after would-be candidate Donald Trump spurned them. Meanwhile, Gov. Haley is appointing a citizens' advisory committee made up entirely of Tea Party stalwarts.

]]> Sat, 21 May 2011 06:21:17 -0400 House subcommittee releases redistricting plan The Election Laws Subcommittee of the South Carolina House of Representatives has released its proposed plan for redrawing state and federal House districts.

]]> Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:55:43 -0400 SCDP Exec. Director Jay Parmley heading to NC After serving as Executive Director of the South Carolina Democratic Party for the past three years, Jay Parmley will leave his post and head to North Carolina after the state convention this weekend.

]]> Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:40:26 -0400 Act now to stop vouchers from draining money from public schools ACTION NEEDED NOW!!   PLEASE, if you oppose using public (taxpayer's) money to fund vouchers for private school students, CALL the members of the Senate Education Committee ASAP--at least by Thursday. Their names are listed below. Click on names to get phone numbers  If you write it might be too late.  Voice your opinion on this bill. 

]]> Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:06:09 -0400 Update on County Council and Transportation Authority For those who were wondering whatever happened Monday night at the County Council meeting, see this article from the Summerville Journal Scene.

]]> Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:22:05 -0400 Darla Moore outclasses Nikki Haley, funds new USC center When it was finally made public that Gov. Haley had removed philanthropist Darla Moore from the USC Board of Trustees, many feared Ms. Moore would get offended and withdraw her generous support from the University and the state. Nothing could be farther from the truth, since it turns out that Darla Moore well out-classes our new governor.

]]> Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:02:20 -0400 Tim Scott: No food stamps for striking workers' families Our own Rob Groce reports on his blog that buried in H.R. 1135, the "Welfare Reform Act of 2011," is a provision that would prohibit a family from receiving food stamps if any of its adult members is a union member on strike. S.C. House District 1's Congressman Tim Scott is a co-sponsor.

Please let Congressman Scott know we won't let him get away with this under-the-radar attack on unions.

]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:04:14 -0400 Hold Gov. Haley accountable for this... Two more interesting pieces of news were reported about our governor today: first, a list of the campaign donors she has appointed to various boards and other positions, and second, how she is remaking the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) board in the image of her pro-corporation, anti-conservation views.

]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:13:07 -0400 Ousted USC trustee Darla Moore to speak Today at 12:15, Darla Moore will speak to students and other supporters in Columbia. She will thank the rallying students for their support; it is unclear what else, if anything, she will say on the subject of the governor or her future on the board.

]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:23:27 -0400 Dorchester County fastest growing in state Your frustration with traffic jams in the Summerville area isn't all in your head. Now that the 2010 census numbers have been released, it turns out the Dorchester County is the fastest-growing county in the state, and Summerville is the fastest-growing medium-sized or large-sized municipality.

]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:06:58 -0400 Council Republicans trying to "pack" Transportation Authority On Monday, March 21, at 7:00pm in Summerville, the County Council will hear and vote on the third reading of a proposed ordinance that would allow the Republican majority on Council to pack the Transportation Authority with their friends and deny representation on the all-important committee to thousands of Dorchester County residents.

]]> Fri, 18 Mar 2011 07:37:09 -0400 Nikki Haley's bad week Governor Haley's very bad week began with a strong backlash from her plan to grade legislators.  Her misguided effort was criticized as an arrogant attempt to pressure elected leaders, who work for their constituents and are not accountable to anyone else including the Governor. 

This was only the beginning.

]]> Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:22:50 -0400 Haley fires $70 million donor Darla Moore, hires campaign contri Gov. Haley has replaced Darla Moore, native South Carolina multi-millionaire and generous patron of USC and its business school, with an attorney who contributed $4500 to her campaign.

]]> Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:11:55 -0500 Vital government function in danger of GOP cuts In state capitals all over the U.S., vital government functions like education and care for the disabled are in grave danger of cuts, thanks to irresponsible GOP grand-standing. Check out this website: http://democrats.senate.gov/gopplan/. You can click on any state (including South Carolina) and view a PDF document detailing budget cuts proposed by Republican lawmakers.

]]> Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:37:16 -0500 See what involved citizens can do? Looking for a little inspiration as we fight political battles on the local level? Look no further than Bell, California.

]]> Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:42:52 -0500 Gov. Haley to host town hall in Charleston Next Wednesday, March 16, Governor Nikki Haley plans to hold a town hall-style forum in Charleston, at the College of Charleston's Randolph Hall. She will talk about her plans for the state and "accomplishments" so far in her term, and presumably listen to comments and answer questions.

]]> Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:02:07 -0500 Mentally ill, disabled, their families at risk Every day, we get more information about the effect GOP-proposed state budget cuts will have on ordinary South Carolinians.

]]> Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:35:45 -0500 Gov. Haley looking to consolidate power S.C. House Republicans, cheered on by Gov. Nikki Haley, passed a bill that would grant enormous new powers to the state's governor. It would move many duties of the Budget and Control Board to the new Department of Administration, which would answer to the governor. It would also put on the ballot two amendments to the state constitution.

]]> Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:33:05 -0500 "Save the Dream" Rally to Take Place in Columbia Today If you would like to attend with other Democrats from your area, please contact Clayton Seufert ASAP at seufertc@hotmail.com.

]]> Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:01:22 -0500 Rally for a Moral Budget On March 12, join a broad coalition of faith-based and progressive groups in Columbia to demand a moral budget - one that allows the state to care for its most vulnerable citizens.

]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2011 01:42:01 -0500 As 100 new jobs are created here, Gov. Haley bashes unions Last week, Showa Denko Carbon, a company that manufactures graphite electrodes for the steel industry, announced that it will expand its current operation located in Ridgeville. The expansion will add 100 new manufacturing jobs, as well as around 600 temporary construction jobs. The expansion is ]]> Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:34:16 -0500 Lt. Gov. Ard digs himself a deeper hole It seems that Lt. Gov. Ken Ard is digging himself even deeper into the hole in which he found himself after the State Ethics Commission announced it was investigating him for expenditures of campaign funds made after the general election.

]]> Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:04:05 -0500 County Council to consider regulating smoking At the last County Council meeting, a proposed smoking ban was defeated. (The Town of Summerville passed its own smoking ban last week.) That proposed ordinance could be taken up again in the future, but newly elected Councilman David Chinnis (District 2) plans to introduce a new proposal that would require businesses to post signs clearly indicating whether or not they allow smoking. This will most likely be taken up at the next meeting, to be held this Monday night, Feb. 7,  at 7:00 in St. George.

]]> Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:30:56 -0500 Tax credits for private school tuition considered in Senate Technically, the proposal isn't a "vouchers" plan, because it doesn't give each student's family a set amount of money to spend on private education. Instead, it gives a tax credit for money spent on tuition.

]]> Sat, 05 Feb 2011 03:48:32 -0500 New Lieutenant Governor already under investigation Bauer's replacement, Republican Ken Ard of Florence, may not have his flair for showmanship, but he's found himself under investigation in record time.

]]> Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:59:24 -0500 Democrats will convene in Charlotte in 2012! Sending the strong message that Democrats haven't given up on the South, the Democratic National Committee has decided to hold its 2012 convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

]]> Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:24:58 -0500 Jay Byars learns some lessons at his first County Council meetin Jay Byars, newly elected to the Dorchester County Council, is apparently in over his head already. Reporting on last night's County Council meeting, the Post and Courier noticed that "An hour into the meeting, the new councilman got that stunned look in his eye."

]]> Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:58:00 -0500 Tallking Points from the State of the Union Courtesy of the South Carolina Democratic Party, here are some "talking points" summarizing what President Obama will likely say in his speech tonight.

]]> Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:52:06 -0500 Carol Fowler's Statement on State of the Union Columbia – This evening, President Obama delivered his State of the Union Address.  Following the President's address South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement:

]]> Sun, 23 Jan 2011 01:43:57 -0500 Here's who will suffer from budget cuts The profoundly disabled will be some of the first South Carolinians to suffer from budget cuts proposed by the Governor and the legislature, reports the Post and Courier.

]]> Sun, 23 Jan 2011 01:55:16 -0500 Gov. Haley proposes budget cuts Last week in her first State of the State address, Gov. Nikki Haley proposed a raft of controversial budget cuts that ought to energize Republicans in the legislature but do little to address the state's overall financial crisis.

]]> Sun, 23 Jan 2011 02:04:44 -0500 Arts Commission, ETV fight back Following Gov. Haley's call to eliminate state funding for ETV and the Arts Commission, these beloved organizations stand ready to defend their vital importance to South Carolina.

]]> Sun, 23 Jan 2011 02:25:35 -0500 Voter ID law: "This isn't about someone else; it's about you." Republicans are at it again this session, trying to push through voting ID legislation while everyone's paying attention to the budget crisis.

]]> Sun, 23 Jan 2011 23:37:01 -0500 Talking points for asking your legislators to vote NO on new vot Please contact your legislators by Tuesday to ask them to reject both the House and Senate versions of the "voter ID legislation" now being considered. If passed, voter identification requirements will make it harder for senior citizens, students, and rural residents to vote; result in disenfranchisement for anyone whose appearance is has changed significantly since his or her last driver's license photo; and result in more expensive elections and longer lines at the polls. It's quick and easy and important - take action now!

]]> Sun, 12 Dec 2010 12:21:09 -0500 Tell your reps to save teachers' jobs! A big new round of education stimulus funding is coming from the Federal government.  Trouble is, South Carolina and Texas are not eligible because of the cuts they have made in state budgets (for South Carolina, it's higher education cuts). 
Rep. Clyburn has a bill to fix it pending in Congress, but Sen. Jim DeMint is blocking it.  About 2600 teaching jobs are at stake.

]]> Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:36:12 -0400 Vincent Sheheen rallies Dorchester County! On Sunday, October 3, a day after Democrats got "fired up" at the Alice Cicenia Dinner with our candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Ashley Cooper, gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheheen joined Dorchester County Democrats at the St. Paul Campground in Harleyville. Read all about it in the Eagle-Record here.

]]> Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:31:48 -0400 Questions cloud Nikki Haley's time as hospital fundraiser Recent revelations have cast doubt on Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley's claim that she voluntarily left her job as a hospital foundation fundraiser to campaign full-time, and that there was nothing inappropriate about her filling that position while serving as a state legislator.

]]> Tue, 05 Oct 2010 08:03:17 -0400 Dorchester County Dems hear from Ashley Cooper at Alice Cicenia An enthusiastic crowd of Democrats, from Dorchester County and elsewhere, got together last Saturday night to eat delicious food, enjoy camaraderie with their fellow Democrats, hear from Lieutenant Governor hopeful Ashley Cooper, and raise money to help us elect Democrats in November.

]]> Fri, 24 Sep 2010 23:29:15 -0400 Christine Jackson on Transportation Impact Fees Christine Jackson's opponent, Dorchester County Councilman Chris Murphy, has always voted
in support of rich developers who want taxpayers to pay for their developments and enhance
their profits.

]]> Sun, 19 Sep 2010 04:57:32 -0400 The Ridgeville office is now open! On Sunday, August 29, Dorchester Democrats celebrated the grand opening of our Ridgeville headquarters.

]]> Sun, 19 Sep 2010 05:03:02 -0400 Democratic women live their values at Palmetto House Please take a look at this article in the Summerville Journal Scene about our fantastic Democratic Women's group here in Dorchester County. These folks have made a commitment to cook a delicious, healthy meal each month for the residents of Palmetto House.

]]> Sun, 19 Sep 2010 06:06:24 -0400 Holleman, Zais to debate on Monday, Sept. 20 Democrat Frank Holleman and Republican Mick Zais, contenders for the position of Superintendent of Education, will debate live on ETV Radio on Monday, Sept. 20, at 7:00pm.

]]> Sun, 19 Sep 2010 06:15:23 -0400 Nikki Haley afraid of an honest debate with Sheheen Nikki Haley, the Republicans' candidate for governor, is afraid to debate our candidate, Vincent Sheheen, openly and on the issues.

]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:38:03 -0400 What’s wrong with the right? The historic election of President Barack Obama and the major gains the Democrats achieved during the last elections have brought about some of the most ridiculous claims and innuendoes ever to be unleashed on an American political office-holder.

]]> Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:49:00 -0400 Bi-Partisan Women for Sheheen Writing on behalf of a bi-partisan group of women who have long hoped
to see a qualified woman governor of South Carolina.  Alas, Nikki Haley is
not that woman.

]]> Thu, 12 Aug 2010 22:16:08 -0400 Republicans again Fighting Social Security!!!
These right-wingers are spreading the same myths they did during George Bush's privatization scheme, saying Social Security is in crisis, it's going bankrupt, and it's adding to the deficit.

]]> Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:49:50 -0400 Chrissy Jackson Running for House District 98 Chrissy Jackson is the Education and Enviroment Candidate for Dorchester County.    If you believe in strong PUBLIC EDUCATION and a strong environmental sound county -- Vote of Chrissy Jackson in November for House District 98.  Vist her web page!

http://www.jacksonforsc.com/

]]> Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:46:02 -0400 Re-elect Kenny Waggoner to Dorchester County Council Kenny Waggoner, stalwart of the Dorchester County Council is runing for re-election against George Bailey, two-time loser to State House Representative Patsy Knight.  Vote on November 2 and re-elect Kenny Waggoner to County Council!

]]> Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:43:46 -0400 Frank Holleman for S.C. Superintendent of Education


Vote Frank Holleman for South Carolina Superintendent of Education

]]> Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:59:21 -0400 Vince Sheheen for Governor
Get to Know Vincent Sheheen for SC Governor...
and share this with your friends.
We have an opportunity to elect
a GREAT governor for South Carolina.
]]>