Sanford: Court’s ties to lawmakers a ‘tough spot’

South Carolina’s governor says the state Supreme Court’s dependence on the Legislature puts it in a tough spot as it hears arguments in his effort to block federal stimulus cash for schools.
   
Gov. Mark Sanford said the justices operate in a horrible system with the Legislature appointing them and controlling their spending. The case being argued Wednesday involves a budget law that requires him to request $700 million in bailout cash.
   
The Supreme Court declined to comment Tuesday on Sanford’s assessment.
   
Robert Wilcox is a University of South Carolina law professor specializing in ethics and doubts the court has conflicts.
   
Former Gov. Jim Hodges says the Supreme Court does a good job being impartial. He won a case and lost a case while in office.