The State Budget and Control Board agreed to borrow $1.9 million from the state Energy Office to help save 1,200 jobs in Greenville County.
By a 3-1 vote, the board agreed to borrow the money, along with a $1 million grant from the Commerce Department, to make improvements to the Donaldson Center, which major tenant Lockheed Martin has asked for as it negotiates a new lease.
Gov. Mark Sanford voted against the project, arguing the state should use cash from the competitive grants program to pay for the project rather than borrow money in a tight budget year.
House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Cooper, R-Anderson, sponsored the resolution and joined with Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, and Treasurer Converse Chellis to approve the plan. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, who participated via phone, did not vote.
The resolution requires the General Assembly to repay the loan next year.
Imagine that, the Governor voting against jobs...again to prove try and prove his point. I bet if just reached out every now and then, he could get some things done. While he appears to be a populist, it gets nothing accomplished.
Posted by: Paul | 25 September 2007 at 08:43 PM
Why didnt General Eckstrom vote? How can someone in his position participate in this meeting and not vote?
Posted by: Randall | 26 September 2007 at 02:34 PM