Lawmakers add to waste

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of bill loaded up like a Christmas

tree. The special interests win again.

Gov. Mark Sanford gave state lawmakers a chance to put this state on a new path for thoughtful budgeting and responsible use of limited resources. The legislators didn't even let the ink dry on the governor's veto before voting overwhelmingly Wednesday to override Sanford's action.

That's how lawmaking is done in South Carolina: A good bill is loaded up with items that appeal to narrow special interests. Lawmakers scratch each others' back.

South Carolina is struggling. This state is paying a steep price for investing too little money in the type of research and business development needed to bring better jobs to our state and improve the lives of all residents. The Legislature said Wednesday: Let the good times roll, even in years when the budget is bleeding and our state is paying for reckless spending habits.

The Life Sciences Act, as Sanford noted in his detailed veto message, contained important elements in the original bill. Both the life sciences and venture capital investment components are critical to our state's economic development efforts, the governor said Tuesday night.

Part of the bill would remove antiquated rules that unnecessarily encumber enterprise at the state's research universities. These universities are essential to helping our state create jobs and transform its economy.

The venture capital component is especially important to the Upstate. It provides financial incentives for biomedical companies and creates a $50 million venture capital fund to help startup companies. A major biotech company is considering a facility in Greenville County that would bring hundreds of high-tech jobs. South Carolina needs such businesses.

The Legislature was at its worst in loading up the Life Sciences Act with pork. This episode has allowed state residents to see how politics work in Columbia. Fiscal conservatism is thrown out the door — even when Republicans control the House and Senate. Money is spent with no thought of tomorrow and in many cases without any debate about the merits of a project.

The Life Sciences Act that landed on Sanford's desk had these elements added:

The USC-Sumter branch would become a four-year college and Trident Technical College in Charleston would get a culinary program.

The Legislature would have to approve the elimination of any state college campus.

A committee would be established to study a new law school at South Carolina State University.

The eligibility criteria for LIFE Scholarships would be relaxed even more, meaning even more lottery money would go for college scholarships instead of K-12 education programs.

The South Carolina Research University Infrastructure Act would raise the state's general obligation bond limit by one-half percent, adding up to another $25 million in debt service.

Myrtle Beach would get $7 million in state money for an international convention center.

All state public institutions of higher learning would gain the awesome power of eminent domain.

South Carolina is at a crossroads. This state spends too much on government and gets too little in return. Critical services are shortchanged, and limited dollars often don't go where they can do the most good. And on Wednesday, the Legislature said that's how it prefers to do business.