Sanford decries stimulus on "Glenn Beck"

Gov. Mark Sanford, hours after vetoing federal stimulus money, made an appearance on "The Glenn Beck Show."

Sanford made his case for vetoing the stimulus money, which he called irresponsible. The $350 million is due to S.C. to help schools and law enforcement agencies balance their budgets. Sanford has refused to take the money unless lawmakers pay down an equal amount of debt.

Sanford to announce budget vetoes Tuesday

Gov. Mark Sanford will hold a 3 p.m. news conference Tuesday where he will detail his plan for budget vetoes and will move the next chess piece in the debate over $700 million in federal stimulus money due to S.C.

Sanford has in some years issued hundreds of vetoes of spending he considers excessive or duplicative. Lawmakers have turned back most of Sanford's vetoes. In 2006, Sanford vetoed the entire budget.

Sanford has been locked in a dispute with state lawmakers over stimulus money lawmakers want to use to balance the budgets of local school districts, colleges and law enforcement. Sanford, who controls the money, wants the state to spend an equal amount on debt before he taps it.

Sanford: Lawmakers wasting money on state plane

Gov. Mark Sanford today accused the General Assembly of wasting more than $363,503 on aviation, action the governor says is proof lawmakers are not interested in spending cuts.

Sanford's office says it will highlight what it thinks is excessive spending each day this week as lawmakers prepare to pass a state budget that includes $350 million in federal stimulus money the governor has so far refused to tap.

Sanford says the aviation money can be saved by replacing one of the full-time pilots for the state plane with a contract pilot and selling the land and hangar for the plane and renting space.

Sanford cried over stimulus, according to Newsweek

Gov. Mark Sanford cried in front of a reporter when asked about his decision not to accept a portion of the federal stimulus money, according to an article in Newsweek magazine set to hit newsstands this week.  Sanford, according to Newsweek reporter Andrew Romano, shed a single tear when answering a question about his decision not to accept all of the federal stimulus money due to S.C.

Sanford referred to the "silent majority" who he says agrees with him that the federal stimulus package is irresponsible spending.

Sanford has refused to tap $700 million in stimulus money due to S.C. unless state lawmakers agree to pay down an equal amount of debt. State budget writers say the state risks laying off thousands of teachers without the money.

Read the Newsweek article here. Sanford profile in Newsweek

 

 

High school student files suit over federal stimulus money

A Chapin High School student has filed a lawsuit asking the S.C. Supreme Court whether lawmakers can force Gov. Mark Sanford to accept federal stimulus money. Read the lawsuit (PDF)

The suit was filed by Columbia attorneys Dwight Drake and Dick Harpootlian on behalf of Casey Edwards, an 18-year-old high school  senior. The suit asks the S.C. Supreme Court  to  hear the case before any lower state courts, and seeks to to confirm that the Legislature has the final say about how federal stimulus money is spent in the state.

Lawmakers and Sanford have been at odds for weeks about whether the state will include $350 million in federal aid in the state  budget that begins July 1. Under  federal law, Sanford must apply for the money before the federal government will send it to South Carolina. However, Sanford has said he will not complete that step unless lawmakers agree to pay off an amount of state debt equivalent to the federal stimulus money.

The lawsuit is the first court action to try and force a resolution to the stimulus debate. Lawmakers also are considering including the money in the state budget or passing a bill ordering Sanford to accept the money.

Sanford has said he thinks he would win any court challenge to his authority over the money.

Payday lending, 10th amendment bills to be aired

The Senate set plans in motion Tuesday to take up a controversial payday lending bill and an equally controversial resolution that affirms South Carolina's sovereignty rights under the Constitution's 10th Amendment.

Rules chairman Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, asked the Senate to move both pieces of legislation to priority status on the remaining Senate calendar, which they easily did, over the vocal objections of two lawmakers.

Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, and Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, both voiced concerns against
giving the measures special calendar status.

Martin said the Senate wants to take another crack at payday lending, after a Senate-approved bill last year died in the House.

"This will end the session," predicted Ford, who adamantly opposes payday lending, and the bill that is to come before the Senate. Ford and some consumer advocates say the payday lending bill this year is watered down, favoring the payday lending industry.

"I do not feel this bill is worthy of a special order slot," complained Malloy. The vote to move the bill up on the calendar passed 30-4, according to the reported count.

Those opposing the 10th Amendment resolution contend the measure carries no weight of law in Washington, and is rooted in conservatives' opposition to President Obama's fiscal policies.

Bill would give employers who hire a tax break

Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, introduced a bill Tuesday that would give S.C. businesses tax credits for hiring unemployed workers.

South Carolina has the nation's second-highest unemployment rate at 11 percent.

The bill would give any business that hires an employed worker and gives him at least 35 hours a week a $100 a month tax break for each hire. The tax credit is available for 24 months, a maximum of $2,400 per employee over two years.

“We aren’t going to grow our economy if we keep growing government on the backs of our state’s businesses and working families," Peeler said. "We have to relieve the burden on business owners so that they can afford to hire new employees and jumpstart our economy.”

Senate bid to bypass Sanford on stimulus falls flat

The Senate rejected a bid Tuesday to obligate Gov. Mark Sanford to apply for and accept the $700 million remainder of the federal stimulus package. It was an expected outcome, as the resolution now heads to committee and could come back to the Senate floor as early as next week.

Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Kershaw, introduced a joint resolution requiring the governor to act, and asked the Senate to take up the measure on the floor without committee debate.

Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, objected and the legislation was sent to the Senate Finance Committee. There, it could receive prompt attention and could wind up back before the Senate by next week. The Senate Finance Committee is chaired by Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, who has been Sanford's chief critic over the governor's refusal to take a portion of the federal stimulus money. Or, the measure could get bogged down while the legislative and executive branches continue their fight.

State readies to track S.C. stimulus spending

A state panel set up to oversee federal stimulus spending said federal requirements are more detailed than in the past and that the rules are still changing.

The panel, led by Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom and composed of state agencies that will receive stimulus money, met Thursday for the first time.

According to the $787 billion federal stimulus bill, states must set up a Web site tracking stimulus spending and report those details to the federal government.

Eckstrom said many of the requirements to track stimulus spending exceed typical federal rules, and are still being adjusted weekly.

"There is still a great deal of uncertainty. There is a higher emphasis on accountability at the federal level," Eckstrom said, but added: "They're building the plane and flying it at the same time, which is a problem."

Sheheen bill forces Sanford to take stimulus

State Sen. Vincent Sheheen said he will introduce a bill requiring Gov. Mark Sanford to spend $700 million in federal stimulus money on school and law enforcement.

Sheheen, a 2010 Democratic candidate for governor, said his joint resolution will have the force of law and can resolve the standoff over the federal money in a matter of weeks. Sanford is refusing to apply for the money unless the state spends an equal amount paying off debt.

Sheheen, an attorney, said he has spoken with Senate and private lawyers who believe lawmakers can require the governor to apply for the money. If Sanford vetoes the bill, lawmakers would need a two-thirds majority to override the veto. From there, Sheheen said the case might have to be decided by a court.

"I'm pretty sure this would be held constitutional," Sheheen said. "It's time for the state itself to stand up."

Prior to Sheheen's announcement, Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman reiterated that he would include the money in a supplemental budget bill. Leatherman said the Senate would keep the federal money separate from the rest of the state budget in case the budget were challenged in court.