Charleston Currents – Henry McMaster

Post Tagged with: "Henry McMaster"

BRACK: Despite challengers, McMaster favored in 2018 governor’s race

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | After mentioning the lieutenant governor was probably going to jump into the 2018 race for governor, the guy – a well-educated professional with at least two college degrees – asked, “Who’s the lieutenant governor?”

“Kevin Bryant,” I replied.

“Then who’s the governor?” he asked.

“Henry McMaster.”

“O.K. I’ve heard of him.”

Therein lies the challenge for the growing field of Republicans with gubernatorial aspirations: McMaster, while not brimming with strength, has buckets of name recognition earned from three decades in state politics, including eight years as attorney general, eight years as head of the state GOP, and statewide campaigns for U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor and governor.

by Andy Brack · 07/31/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

BRACK: The legislature takes a wild ride in 2017 session

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | The General Assembly’s 2017 legislative session is sure to be remembered for a long time as a wild ride.

Two things stand out. First, who in the world would have thought the Republican-led legislature would have given millions of dollars in tax relief to working people in South Carolina in a bill to hike taxes to fix roads? Most of the time, tax breaks go to the rich.

by Andy Brack · 05/16/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

FOCUS: Educators urge governor to sign pension reform bill

By Bernadette Hampton, special to Charleston Currents | The South Carolina Education Association encourages residents of Charleston County, especially all educators in the Charleston area, to urge Gov. Henry McMaster to sign the responsible, bipartisan pension funding bill. This bill allows South Carolina to keep its obligations to public employees and remain competitive with other states. And, pensions remain the best bang for the buck for our taxpayers.

Public pensions cover over 549,000 teachers, firefighters and other South Carolina workers. In fact, 1 out 9 South Carolina residents are covered by our pensions systems. With an average benefit of just $21,000 a year, pensions provide a modest but dignified retirement for our public employees. Under this bill, teachers will contribute a greater percentage of their pay, now 9 percent of pay, toward their pension, sharing the sacrifice of increase with the state.

by Special to Charleston Currents · 04/24/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

BRACK: New statue of Hollings captures his spirit, leadership, energy

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Sculptor Rick Weaver captured the body language of Fritz Hollings just right in a new statue unveiled Monday as former colleagues heaped praises on the retired senator, now 95.

Three things stand out in the bronze figure – the warm, but determined, look on Hollings’ face; how his left hand is grasping a rolled-up document; and, most notably, an outstretched right hand, a familiar gesture to many of the senator’s former staffers and friends.

“I asked him what he felt was the quality he possessed that allowed him to succeed in his work,” Charlottesville, Va., sculptor Weaver said in the ceremony program. “He said very quickly, ‘My ability to make friends.’ So in subtle ways, I tried to show that – his hand gesture, him turning to face someone. I wanted to convey how actively engaged he was all his life.”

by Andy Brack · 04/18/2017 · 4 comments · Andy Brack, Views

BRACK: Where’s the saber-rattling over the ask for a federal bailout?

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Two questions:

1. What is the state that was offered $11 billion from the federal government to provide better health care for the poorest of its citizens and said no?

2. What is the state that now wants the federal government to provide a $5 billion bailout for roads after not doing enough over the last 30 years to meet their infrastructure obligations?

Answer: South Carolina, also now known as the Hypocrisy State.

by Andy Brack · 02/13/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

Then Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster during a nomination speech of President-elect Donald Trump at the 2016 GOP convention.

BRACK: McMaster can learn lessons from past governors

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | South Carolina’s new governor, Henry McMaster, has boatloads of political and governmental experience. But that doesn’t mean he can’t learn a little, especially from people who have occupied the same seat that he took over this week.

by Andy Brack · 01/30/2017 · 1 comment · Andy Brack, Views

Gov. Nikki Haley, center, flanked by Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, on left, and Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster.

BRACK: Haley reflects on accomplishments, but downplays flag

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Gov. Nikki Haley took a victory lap around a legislature Wednesday with which she didn’t always get along.

“When I was first elected, I heard over and again from governors around the country that this would be the best job I would ever have,” she said in her final State of the State address prior to expected confirmation soon as the new ambassador to the United Nations. “I didn’t understand what they meant back then – and if I’m honest, some days, especially during the legislative session, I didn’t agree with them.”

by Andy Brack · 01/16/2017 · 1 comment · Andy Brack, Views

FEEDBACK: Thanks for the reminder

From S.C. Rep. Dwight Loftis: Thanks for reminding us of McMaster’s position from his 2010 race for Governor. You referenced his statement that “the governor’s race is not about individuals but about this state.” It is incumbent that every person elected to public office adopt this priority. To your another point, which is crucial to our state, “he urged long-term thinking and development of a unified, strategic plan for South Carolina”.

by Charleston Currents · 12/05/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Feedback

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, at podium, discusses formation of the Senate Opportunity Caucus at a Capitol Hill press conference in September.

BRACK: It’s just common sense for Scott to stay in Senate

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Perhaps the best job in the world for anyone passionate about policy and politics is to be a United States senator.

It pays well. You get to travel. You become part of an exclusive club where you can actually do big, meaningful things. You learn about a lot of different topics. And it can be a special kind of wonky fun, despite long hours, politicking, fund-raising and endless meetings.

by Andy Brack · 12/05/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Uncategorized

S.C. Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster giving a nomination speech at the 2016 GOP convention.

BRACK: A look at Henry McMaster as governor

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | The Palmetto State is still rocking from last week’s earthquake announcement that S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley will leave office to be the country’s ambassador to the United Nations in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.

by Andy Brack · 11/28/2016 · 1 comment · Andy Brack, Views