PROJECT RE-LAUNCHED FOR 2014

A year later, this statement still holds true: South Carolina remains the only state in the nation that doesn’t require its politicians to disclose any private income. The public is still in the dark when it comes to knowing whether or not their elected officials are benefiting personally from legislation.

There is potential good news: a bill currently in the State House would require mandatory income disclosure – and it has already passed House and Senate. But rather than wait for lawmakers to make up their minds, we’ve asked them (along with the state’s constitutional officers) to disclose their income voluntarily. We made a few minor edits to the form we sent them in 2013, but this year’s form is still almost identical to the one required by the federal government before one can hold office in the U.S. Congress. Uncomplicated, easy to understand, and very simple to fill out.

Last year, about a third of those we asked to participate, did so. Some refused, but we hope they’ll reconsider this year.

The table below identifies all lawmakers and constitutional officers in the South Carolina State House. We will continue with our goal to get each one to identify every source of income, even if it takes years for it to become law.

But we can’t do it alone. Here’s what you can do to be a part of this initiative:

Download the form here. Get in touch with your elected officials. Call them. E-mail them the form. Go to their State House offices and drop it off … let them know you want them to disclose all of their income sources! Sign up for daily Nerve e-mails. We take a close look at what these politicians report and break news as we find conflicts of interest! After you’ve called, e-mailed, asked a few dozen times, and they’ve returned the form to you, e-mail it to Emily Gould at emily@scpolicycouncil.org, or mail it to us 1323 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29201. We want to hear your stories! Did your representative or senator respond immediately? Did they snub the form when you handed it to them at a town hall meeting? Let us know! Call Emily Gould at (803) 779-5022 extension 117, or e-mail Emily at the address above.

SUPREME COURT Office Name Filled out 2013 Income Disclosure Form? Filled out 2014 Income Disclosure Form? Details YES NO YES NO Chief Justice Jean Toal X X Click to view Chief Justice Toal’s information Justice Costa Pleicones X X Click to view Justice Pleicones’ information

LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS County District Representative Filled out 2013 Income Disclosure Form? Filled out 2014 Income Disclosure Form? Details YES NO YES NO Dorchester 4 Larry Hargett X X Click to view County Councilman Hargett’s information

Thank you so much for all you do. Please consider taking part in this movement with us!