(Columbia) Feb. 23, 2005 - South Carolinians For Responsible Government paid for one recent TV ad. They've spent about $14,000 at WIS since early last year promoting the Put Parents In Charge act.

A billboard in downtown Columbia belongs to the South Carolina Education Association. Since December, they've spent about $50,000 fighting the legislation.

State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum says in the school choice fight, $14,000, even $50,000 isn't that much. "It's a way to attack public education and it's a group of out of state people who have funded this effort."

Tenenbaum is talking about the group All Children Matter. It's a Michigan-based political action committee dedicated to supporting candidates all over the country who support school choice. They've got deep pockets. Since early last year, the group has raised nearly a million dollars.

Who's behind All Children Matter? Here's just a few of the major contributors over the past year. John Walton, son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, gave the group $100,000. Richard Devos Jr., currently president of the Windquest Group, formerly president of Amway, gave $210,000. Bruce Kovner, a successful commodity trader, has given the most at a quarter of a million dollars.

None of the contributors are from South Carolina.

Since May of last year, 20 candidates in South Carolina have received more than $30,000 combined from All Children Matter. The contributions only went to Republicans and ranged from $1000 to $3500.

Everyone from Rep. Doug Smith, the primary sponsor of Put Parents In Charge act to Senator Glen McConnell received money. House Speaker David Wilkins, his political action committee, former House Majority Leader Rick Quinn, and Attorney General Henry McMaster got the most.

McMaster's not even up for reelection and even if he was, he can't vote on legislation. He's the state's top attorney.

If All Children Matter is looking for lawmakers to listen to them for a thousand bucks, they got what they were looking for when they found Rep. Jeff Duncan, "I see it as a way to buy access basically. If All Children Matter or someone from their organization came to see me, I would talk to them, but I'm open to talking to non-contributors also."

Why is the group suddenly trying to talk to the people of South Carolina? Insiders say because the state is small and it's relatively cheap to spread their message and if they're successful in a state where test scores and graduation rates are routinely near the bottom, they could hold South Carolina up as a shining example to the rest of the country.

Governor Mark Sanford says there's another reason too, "One, because they have a Governor who's sympathetic to their idea."

We should note there has been a group organized to oppose the Put Parents In Charge act. It's called Choose Children First and it has not started fundraising. News 10 has learned they are planning to start running their own statewide TV and radio ads over the next few weeks.

By Craig Melvin
Posted 6:12pm by BrettWitt