Group urged to disclose its spending

South Carolinians for Responsible Government must disclose how it spends its money by May 30 or face fines from the State Ethics Commission.

Commission executive director Herb Hayden wrote SCRG president Randy Page Friday to put the organization on notice that the campaign finance reports are required.

The Ethics Commission believes the organization, a group supporting tuition-tax credit legislation, must report its spending because of a radio ad the group ran earlier this month “attacking” Rep. Bill Cotty, R-Richland, Hayden wrote.

State law requires any group to file disclosure forms if it spends more than $500 to influence the outcome of an election within 45 days of the vote.

South Carolinians for Responsible Government does not believe the ad question is an attack on Cotty. It asks listeners to call Cotty and tell him to support the bill, which would give parents tax credits to send their children to private school.

Denver Merrill, a spokesman for the group, said Friday that he had not seen the letter, but said, “We’re going to pass this on to our attorneys and look for some legal response.”

• Sanford to hold rally at State House today

Gov. Mark Sanford will take his criticism of state lawmakers’ budget plans to the State House steps today.

Sanford, who is pushing for a three-month suspension of the S.C. gas tax as a way to return state money to residents, will hold a rally on the south steps at 10 a.m.

The governor faces Prosperity physician Oscar Lovelace in the June 13 GOP primary.

Sanford argues the General Assembly should send back a significant portion of an estimated $1 billion in increased revenues in current- and future-year spending plans. Lawmakers in the Republican-led House and Senate say building projects and other needs were deferred in years of flatter revenue growth, necessitating a boost in spending.

• Bauer releases TV and radio ads

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer released TV and radio ads this week that tout his work ethic and Senate rulings.

The ads, titled “Working Hard, Making a Difference,” will run statewide on radio and TV channels for a week.

“As lieutenant governor, Andre Bauer has single-handedly blocked over one-and-a-half billion dollars in proposed new taxes,” an announcer says in a 30-second TV ad. “He restructured the Office on Aging to give seniors the best service ever. ... Hard work that’s making a difference for all of us.”

Bauer’s 60-second radio ad, a longer version of the same message, started airing Wednesday, a day after his opponent Mike Campbell became the race’s first candidate to campaign on TV. Bauer’s TV ad began running Thursday.

The incumbent will face Campbell, son of the late Gov. Carroll Campbell, and Anderson surgeon Dr. Henry Jordan in the June 13 primary. The winner will face unopposed Democratic nominee Robert Barber, a Lowcountry restaurant owner and former House member, in November.

As lieutenant governor, Bauer presides over the state Senate and casts the deciding vote if there’s a tie. The lieutenant governor became responsible for the Office on Aging in July 2004, after Bauer requested more responsibilities.

Contributing: Staff writer Aaron Gould Sheinin and The Associated Press