Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Port earmark debate enters gov race

Sheheen supports dredging, prods Haley

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 1:10 PM

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheheen is calling on his opponent, Republican Nikki Haley, to explain her position on federal aid for the Port of Charleston.

At the heart of the issue is a $400,000 federal earmark that that's necessary to study deepening the Charleston Harbor. Port officials have said a delay would put that state dangerously behind as others, including the Port of Savannah, continue with deepening plans.

But Sen. Lindsey Graham and retiring Congressman Henry Brown have been unable to sway anti-earmark conservatives to understand the pressing need and the lack of options. Haley has said in the past that she would refuse federal stimulus aid, but she hasn't gone on the record regarding this particular request.

A strong supporter for the harbor study, Sheheen notes that the Port of Charleston provides an estimated 260,000 jobs, nearly $12 billion in wages, and $1.5 billion in local and state revenue for South Carolina.

"There is no greater opportunity for business and job growth potential and extended future prosperity than our port," Sheheen said. "And, as governor, there will not be a more dedicated promoter and supporter of our port.

"If Nikki Haley is not for doing whatever it takes to dredge this port, Nikki Haley is not for creating jobs."

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The Nikki Haley campaign addressed this a month ago.

http://m.greenvilleonline.com/BETTER/news.…

'Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey said she will make ports funding a priority "regardless of whether that funding comes from the federal or state government."'

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Posted by ninjapirate on September 7, 2010 at 1:36 PM

Oh yeah...then how does she propose to get the money? Her fairy Godmother??

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Posted by lizbeth on September 7, 2010 at 2:11 PM

Vote- Sheheen...the scandal FREE candidate!!

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Posted by lizbeth on September 7, 2010 at 2:12 PM

Is she going to turn tricks for the money? She'll have to get a boob job!

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Posted by lizbeth on September 7, 2010 at 2:21 PM

Let me save the state $400,000.

New container ships are coming online that will require a deeper channel in the harbor (in order to permit those ships to load and unload cargo here).

So:

If we want to keep our port in business, we should find the funds necessary to dredge the channel to a deeper depth.

or,

If we are willing to lose the jobs and tax revenues from all the businesses that depend on container ships loading and unloading here, we should let the channels fill up with silt.

This concludes the study.




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Posted by I P Yuengling on September 7, 2010 at 2:57 PM

IPY's plan says it all. Feds can't see or accept the obvious without a study. Bureaucrats are not empowered with common sense and can't make a move or decision without some study to cover their ass.

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Posted by Guy on September 7, 2010 at 9:18 PM
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