THE BUZZ — The buzzards: The best — or worst? — of S.C. politics in 2015

S.C. politics were a whirlwind in 2015.

From fights over increasing the state’s gas tax to removing the Confederate flag from the State House grounds, S.C. politicians delivered on drama — if not action.

Most likely to filibuster a filibuster

Winner: State Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort

Davis took the state Senate’s podium in late May, opposing an increase in the state’s 16.75-cent-a-gallon gas tax to provide a recurring source of revenue to repair the state’s crumbling roads and bridges. Davis proceeded to block the proposal for the remaining three weeks of the regular session. Faced with the need for roughly $1 billion a year for the next 30 years in added spending on roads, Davis argued the state should rely on one-time money — its savings accounts and surplus money. Davis’ reputation for filibustering prompted a meme that circulated the State House of traffic passing a road sign, reading: “Tom Davis is talking, expect delays.”

Runner-up: State Rep. Mike Pitts, R-Laurens

During the House debate to remove the Confederate flag from the S.C. State House grounds, Pitts put up more than 25 amendments to extend deliberations. Most of Pitts’ amendments went nowhere but extended the debate, which lasted until about 1 a.m. As proposal after proposal was ruled out of order, Pitts sighed, “I’m starting to understand how (Confederate Gen. Robert E.) Lee felt at Appomattox.”

Most likely to win a presidential debate ... during happy hour

Winner: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Seneca

Graham, the first sitting S.C. politician to run for president in three decades, consistently has performed well in the debates held for the GOP “undercard” candidates. Unfortunately for his candidacy, Graham hasn’t polled high enough to qualify for the prime-time debates. And, even if he did qualify, Graham’s arguments might not do well in a presidential year when facts don’t seem to matter, as Republican candidate Donald Trump continues to lead polls nationally.

Most likely to champion a gas-tax increase

Winner: Gary Simrill, R-York

Simrill got the GOP-controlled S.C. House to do something it hasn’t done since 1987 – approve hiking the state’s gas tax by the equivalent of 10 cents a gallon. Simrill, who owns a high-end used-car dealership, sponsored the proposal, which also increased the sales tax cap on cars to $500 from $300. Simrill didn’t just get a simple majority to pass the gas-tax hike. He got overwhelming — 87-20 — support, enough to override a threatened veto by Gov. Nikki Haley.

Runner-up: Ray Cleary, R-Georgetown

A proposal to increase several user fees and taxes to raise roughly $800 million a year for roads emerged from a Senate panel that Cleary led. That plan included a 12-cent-a-gallon hike to the gas tax over three years and increasing the cap on the state’s sales tax on vehicles to $600. The Senate Finance Committee substituted that proposal plan for the House-passed Simrill plan, but it faced immediate opposition from some senators. Some were unhappy the Senate plan did not include an income tax cut or a proposal to reform — again —the state Transportation Department. (Enter Davis. See: Filibuster.)

Top neglected issue

Winner: Ethics reform

Why would something as unsexy as ethics reform win for “top neglected issue” when S.C roads, bridges and buildings are crumbling? Because if a half-dozen scandals — involving governors, lieutenant governors, and House and Senate members — can’t sway state senators to change the way lawmakers are policed, the issue likely is dead for good.

Ethics reform passed the House but bogged down — again — in the Senate. Senators do not want to stop having lawmakers investigate themselves, saying the Senate Ethics Committee works just fine. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Larry Martin, R-Pickens, tried to get the House bill debated in the Senate but failed. Martin has said he does not see opponents of ethics reform wavering.

Runner-up: Crumbling roads and bridges

For the first time in nearly three decades, House members took a step toward raising money to repair S.C. roads and bridges. But that plan was stalled in the Senate by filibuster king Davis. Now, it is waiting for senators to return in January. Will lawmakers reach a deal to hike the gas tax and driving fees, reform the Transportation Department and cut the income tax, as demanded by Gov. Haley? Drivers across S.C. are waiting to see.

Buzz Bites

▪  University of South Carolina researchers have spent all but $15,000 of a $500,000 grant from the Coca-Cola Co. to establish an anti-obesity group, the Global Energy Balance Network, that was shut down this month, the college said. The network was criticized for its ties to the soft-drink maker. USC says the the research was conducted within its guidelines. As a result, the school said it does not plan to refund the spent portion of Coca-Cola's grant or return the remaining money.

▪  At least seven GOP presidential hopefuls have committed to speaking to a poverty forum moderated by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-North Charleston, and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., on Jan. 9 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Promising to attend are: former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; retired Maryland neurosurgeon Ben Carson; Govs. Chris Christie of New Jersey and John Kasich of Ohio; U.S. Sens. Graham of South Carolina and Marco Rubio of Florida; and former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina. Learn more about the Jack Kemp Foundation event at jackkempfoundation.org.

▪  Gov. Haley will headline a reception for state Rep. Neal Collins, R-Pickens, on Jan. 5 at the Pickens County Career & Technology Center in Liberty. Donors paying $500 to $1,000 can attend a private reception before the main event.

2016 in SC

Fiorina: The Republican will hold town-hall meetings at Pawleys Island on Monday and Florence on Tuesday. She also will attend a Florence economic-development luncheon Tuesday.

This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 5:15 PM with the headline "THE BUZZ — The buzzards: The best — or worst? — of S.C. politics in 2015."