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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Stimulus Deadline Looms for Skeptical SC Gov. Sanford

As fiscal situation worsens, SC governor's stimulus refusal draws ire

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(Newser) – South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has until Friday to choose between the philosophical and the fiscal as the deadline to accept $700 million in federal stimulus money approaches, the Wall Street Journal reports. Sanford wants authority over the funds, earmarked for education and public safety, and has pledged to refuse them unless the legislature agrees to pay down debt—an action it says it can’t afford.

Overseeing the nation’s second-highest unemployment rate (11%) and shortfalls across education, Sanford risks alienating even his most strident supporters. The governor has not refused $2.8 billion for roads, but feels much of the stimulus is unwarranted and eventually harmful spending. South Carolina has cut its budget by $1 billion since August and will likely lay off up to 5,000 teachers without the money.

In this 2008 file photo, South Carolina's Gov. Mark Sanford gives the State of the State address to the a joint session of the Legislature at the Statehouse in Columbia.
In this 2008 file photo, South Carolina's Gov. Mark Sanford gives the State of the State address to the a joint session of the Legislature at the Statehouse in Columbia.   (AP Photo)
In a Jan. 14, 2009, file photo, South Carolina Republican Gov. Mark Sanford gestures as he gives his State of the State address.
In a Jan. 14, 2009, file photo, South Carolina Republican Gov. Mark Sanford gestures as he gives his State of the State address.   (AP Photo)
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I'm real disappointed in the governor that he's doing what he's doing for political reasons, apparently. We have programs that are being cut, school teachers being cut, jobs being lost by the thousand across the state.
- James Metts, Lexington County Sheriff

Say you win the lottery. A prudent household would not only spend some of the money, they'd pay down the mortgage.
- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford

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8 comments
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sache
Apr 2, 09 9:26 AM CDT
Cutting off his nose to spite his face. If he turns his back on an opportunity to help the people of his state i'm sure on election day they will remember. Reply
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Mad
Apr 2, 09 9:30 AM CDT
Go ahead and refuse the money, republicans. Shoot yourselves in the face, AGAIN Reply
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DavoMax
Apr 2, 09 10:01 AM CDT
I'm in South Carolina and at it's face Sanford's argument sounds logical. However, with his/my state's unemployment level at 11%, this isn't the time for ideological wranglings. Call me a Socialist or whatever, but I think it's better to take the money and look at a higher tax later to recoup the loss when more people are working. People are hurting and nothing else matters when you are out of work and your kid's belly is growling. Look at it as a loan, sometimes you have to borrow a little money to get you over a hump. I know it doesn't hit home to Sanford, because when it's all over he can head to his family's farm down on the coast. And I say the same thing if he were a Democrat. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
ChristaMT
Apr 2, 09 3:29 PM CDT
"Say you win the lottery. A prudent household would not only spend some of the money, they'd pay down the mortgage." - Sanford. Haha maybe this is true... HOWEVER, if you told the prudent household they had to spend the money in a different and simultaneously helpful way or else they could not have it. They would take it and spend it as directed.
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nick
Apr 2, 09 11:04 AM CDT
Let him refuse the stimulus money and just go ahead and cut taxes. Then let the trickle down theory do its thing ... and soon the economy will be robust. That's the Republican way! Reply
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