Governor appears to have upper hand; McMaster's opinion backs Sanford [S.C. AG sides with Sanford]

The Post & Courier, Charleston, SC ^ | 2009-04-01

[rabscuttle385]

COLUMBIA — Political hyperbole in the Statehouse skyrocketed Tuesday as Attorney General Henry McMaster issued an opinion that the Legislature cannot bypass the governor to accept $700 million in federal stimulus money.

Legislators, in response to the news, predicted dire consequences if they have to write a budget without the money, such as mass teacher layoffs, while the governor's press secretary essentially accused lawmakers of telling tall tales.

Congress intended the cash to be used to help bridge the state's shortfall in tax collections over the next two years while the economy recovers.

It is a portion of the $8 billion South Carolina could receive from the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the only chunk of state-targeted money in limbo.

[rabscuttle385]

ping

The RINOs are angry already.

[hoosier hick]

Best to trim the spending now, and go with what you have rather than put it off for two years hoping another sugardaddy will come along...

hh

[NavVet]

A little less money to buy votes with. Poor babies.

[Need4Truth]

Grooms, a Senate budget writer, said the stimulus cash is not free money, and accepting it means living by the rules Congress sets.

What would happen if states took the money and then pled the 10th on the dimocrap rules?

[Travis McGee]

“You have to take ‘da money. I’m makin’ youse an offer you can’t refuse.”

—Godfather Obama, Boss of Bosses.

[Travis McGee]

What would happen if states took the money and then pled the 10th on the dimocrap rules?

Then you gots to talk to bent-nose Willy, Nino the Shark, and Tiny.

[tanuki]

God, I hope the Dems try to ram Sanford the way that they tried to ram Rush. If it turns out the same way, they just might succeed in giving Sanford national prominence.

[prismsinc]

Yup. Wise statement. Cut off the finger now, or cut off the arm later.

[Crawdad]

Sanford is like Dr. Drew dealing with a house-full of drunks and dopers.

[Travis McGee]

"You don't understand.

I'm making you an offer you can't refuse."

[fieldmarshaldj]

McMaster for SC Governor 2010.

[VeniVidiVici]

Grooms, a Senate budget writer, said the stimulus cash is not free money, and accepting it means living by the rules Congress sets.

And look how well that worked out for GM and AIG.

[1010RD]

Yes I can see the NYT's headline:

Sanford Starves Babies to Save a Buck

[tanuki]

...and puppies.