I objected when the Department of Commerce tried to give the Carolina Panthers football team’s billionaire owner more than $150 million of your tax dollars to relocate a practice field to York County. I’ve learned that the Department of Commerce won’t tell you basic information about its deals

How they spend your money and what you are getting for it should not be a secret. I sued and last week a judge said they were wrong to withhold information.

Next year, we will have greater transparency or I will filibuster the entire state budget. Until you can see what you are getting from the Commerce Department budget, there shouldn’t be one.

Sen. Dick Harpootlian, Columbia

Lets talk trash

You may not agree with everything written in this space, but I bet you agree that there’s too much litter in this county.

Litter lowers property values, attracts pests and rodents which cause diseases, hurts wildlife and is expensive to clean up.

Debris on the roads causes accidents and over 800 deaths in the US each year.

We can all make a difference. Don’t litter. Secure transported loads. Use a net, bungee cord, rope or a tarp. When driving, keep your trash in your vehicle until you find a trash can. Be a good example for others.

Traude Sander, Lexington County Recycling Coordinator

We welcome your letters

With letters to the editor, please include your name, address, and telephone number for verification. Your telephone number and address will not be published. Our deadline for letters is 2 p.m. Friday. Send them to JerryBellune@yahoo.com