Gov. Mark Sanford accepts most stimulus money at deadline

Raw Sanford on Stimulus (Added: April 03, 2009)

Raw Sanford conference on SC stimulus. (more)

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Gov. Mark Sanford accepts most stimulus money at deadline

Governor Mark Sanford filed the necessary paperwork Friday to claim $2.8 billion in stimulus money while maintaining his refusal to spend another $700 million.

By Cleve Bryan
Published: April 03, 2009

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With a take it or leave it deadline looming over South Carolina's portion of the federal stimulus package, Governor Mark Sanford filed the necessary paperwork Friday to claim $2.8 billion while maintaining his refusal to spend the $700 million at his discretion unless state debt is payed down.

If Sanford did not claim the money it could potentially have been re-distributed to other states or ended up in court battles with South Carolina state lawmakers. Now by certifying the money he has until September 2010 to decide if he wants to use the $700 million he controls or not.

Sanford says he will only spend the money if legislative leaders can reach an agreement with him to use state dollars to pay down debt equal to the $700 million. He says that could include cost saving reforms such as revisions to the state pension system.

Sanford held a press conference Friday to clarify that his certifying of the stimulus money does not mean a change in his stance. He also pointed the finger at Sen Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence) as using a scare tactic by proposing a budget scenario that left out $587 million dollars which Sanford says is accounted for by the $2.1 billion not under his control.

Sanford maintains his refusal of the $700 will make South Carolina live within it's means and make necessary cuts. He says the federal money is a band aid which just puts off the problem of more than $20 billion in un-funded commitments. He says South Carolina ranks 4th in the country with portion of their annual budget they spend on debt payment.

Critics of Sanford say the money he is refusing to use could avoid teacher furloughs and lay offs.