On the cigarette tax hike

IN STATE PAPERS:  In an editorial roundup that was published in papers across the state, the Florence Morning News mentioned my recent column that was a letter to the governor to not veto an approved cigarette tax:  “As state political analyst Andy Brack said, the “user fee” on smokers would generate monies to help pay [...]

Time has come on cigarette tax

Dear Governor Sanford …. About the only thing we’ve agreed on in the political arena is that you shouldn’t have to resign because of a marital infidelity. We both agreed that it was a personal mistake that essentially didn’t impact on the job of being governor. We both caught a lot of flak for that position. But you’re still governor. I still write.

So while we look at the world differently, please bear with me as I make a case for why you should sign a bill to raise the cigarette tax by a half dollar per pack.

Keep guns from under the seats

APRIL 16, 2010 – State Rep. Bakari Sellers, D-Denmark, wants to allow “responsible” gun owners to be able to stow guns under the seat of their car or truck.

This has got to be one of the dumbest proposals offered in a long time.

State, nation need to focus on what counts

MARCH 19, 2010 – With legislators in Washington struggling to pass health care reform and lawmakers in Columbia bickering over the state’s dismal budget, an air of passivity hovers around government.

Why can’t our leaders get anything done? What would the founding fathers think of these challenged politicians?

Clyburn whips up support for health care

Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) was in town over the weekend to whip some energy into about 200 local Democrats who had their county convention at the Stern Center at the College of Charleston.

It took only one topic to get thunderous applause: the imminent passage of major health care reform.