"There are consequences to every decision we make in life, and I'm comfortable with the consequences of this one."
— Gov. Mark Sanford, R-South Carolina
Posted on 03/12/2009 5:13:00 AM PDT by rabscuttle385
Gov. Mark Sanford's wish to use $700 million of federal stimulus money to cut the state's debt rather than prop up its budget soon will land on the desk of President Barack Obama.
If Obama refuses Sanford's request, as expected, then state lawmakers will decide whether to override the governor yet again.
The drama will unfold in the coming weeks as each of them grapples with what is widely considered the worst economy since the Great Depression.
Much of South Carolina's $8 billion share of the $787 billion stimulus package will go directly to individuals in the form of tax breaks, college help and other channels, and Sanford said he has no control of about $2.1 billion set to flow to state government for highway improvements, new waterlines and other projects.
But Sanford said his lawyers say he does control about $700 million of stimulus money, and he is weighing what to do with it as the state's unemployment heads toward record levels and its economy continues to struggle.
Sanford dropped by North Charleston on Wednesday, his third stop in the state, to explain his thinking. He said South Carolina has the highest debt per capita of Southeastern states and that using stimulus money to prop up the budget for two years could prove devastating if the economy hasn't turned around by 2011.
If Sanford can't use the money to lower the debt and lawmakers let that decision stand, then Sanford said he would refuse the $700 million, which then would go to other states.
"There are consequences to every decision we make in life, and I'm comfortable with the consequences of this one," Sanford said. "The easiest thing in the world would have been to accept the money and move on, but it would be completely at odds with the decision-making framework that I've used over the last 15 years of my life."
"There are consequences to every decision we make in life, and I'm comfortable with the consequences of this one."
— Gov. Mark Sanford, R-South Carolina
ping!
Those politicians and their slobering love affair with da Pres.
I saw it. There’s a reason I don’t subscribe to The ComPost.
The Governor just fired the first shot....and the WaPo caches the meaning and implication...even if Bambi is a little slow on the uptake...he reads the Compost
Sanford's designed a no lose proposition. He's appealing to Blue Dogs on debt, he appears tough, and is taking on the legislature which everyone loves to hate.
Sanford is, for now, the anti-Obama: honest, fearless, and sharp in a way that doesn't turn off middle America. If he keeps this up he'll be the next POTUS.
Yeah right. Sanford is dodging a bullet dipped in slime here.
Our RINO house speaker has no problem spending stolen money.
Email Bobby Harrell at: bobbyharrell@bobbyharrell.com
...which shows a level of discernment far superior to that of a recent "Republican" presidential candidate, who chose to jump into the line of fire with last year's financial services bailout.
Governor Sanford, watch your back. You have dared to decline increased federal control over the lives of your citizens.
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