South Carolina governor trumped, must take stimulus money

[Foxrac]

(CNN) -- South Carolina's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Gov. Mark Sanford must accept $700 million in federal stimulus money, ending the only formal effort by a governor to reject funding intended to jump-start an ailing economy.

The two-term Republican said he would abide by the court ruling, but called it a bad day for South Carolina and the country.

"This decision is terrible news for every taxpayer in South Carolina, and even more so for future taxpayers who will ultimately bear the responsibility of paying for this so-called 'stimulus' without seeing any benefit from it," he said in a statement.

Considered a potential future Republican presidential candidate, Sanford led the party's resistance to the $787 billion stimulus package. He warned the increased spending will bring an insurmountable debt burden on future generations.

Sanford initially tried to require that any stimulus money pay down the state debt, a stance rejected by the Obama administration.

Sanford had resisted taking the money even when the Republican-controlled legislature passed a budget that included the funds.

Students and education officials in South Carolina filed lawsuits demanding that the governor take the money. Sanford tried to have those suits merged and heard in federal court.

On Monday, however, a federal judge rejected that effort, and said that the South Carolina Supreme Court must decide what to do.

In its ruling, the state's highest court said the legislature, not Sanford, has the power to decide whether to accept the federal stimulus money.

"At this stage in the process, the Governor certainly has no discretion to make a contradictory decision on behalf of the State," the ruling said. "We hold the Governor must apply for the ... funds."

However, the court distanced itself from any role in setting policy on the issue.

"Our decision today should not be construed as a comment on the policy differences between Governor Sanford and the General Assembly respecting the wisdom or necessity of South Carolina accepting the" money, it said. ... "We discharge our duty to honor the rule of law, nothing more."

The ruling was in response to lawsuits filed by two students and a school administrators' association that sought to force the state to accept the stimulus money, some of which will go for education needs.

South Carolina governor trumped, must take stimulus money - CNN.com

 

[Reba]

 

[Hear Again]

Reba,

You live in SC, don't you? I can't remember.

 

[Foxrac]

Reba,

You live in SC, don't you? I can't remember.

Yup, she does but she don't support the court decision due conservative.

 

[Reba]

Reba,

You live in SC, don't you? I can't remember.

Yes, I do.

 

[Reba]

Yup, she does but she don't support the court decision due conservative.

I support Gov. Sanford.

 

[Hear Again]

Yes, I do.

I couldn't remember if you did or not. for answering my question.

 

[Foxrac]

I support Gov. Sanford.

Yup, I remember it.

 

[jillio]

Good news for eductional funding in S.C.

 

[Steel X]

I live in NC so...I guess that's good news for the carolinas lol.

 

[BradB08]

Apparently, Governor Sanford doesn't care for the people of SC if he's willing to turn down stimulus money.

Compassionate Conservatism, my ass!

I don't like the stimulus either but if that funny money ensures that someone has food to eat, a roof over their heads and a steady job, then it should be accepted.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

that´s wonderful news for students because they deserve it...!!!

 

[Reba]

Here's what Gov. Sanford said:

Governor Sanford Issues Statement on Supreme Court Verdict

Columbia, S.C. – June 4, 2009 – Governor Mark Sanford today issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s verdict that he must apply for a disputed $700 million in stimulus funds, allowing the General Assembly to spend those dollars rather than use them for state debt relief:

“Some very clear handwriting was on the wall with respect to how the Supreme Court would come down on this issue, and while we’re not surprised by the verdict we’re certainly disappointed,” Gov. Sanford said. “This decision is terrible news for every taxpayer in South Carolina, and even more so for future taxpayers who will ultimately bear the responsibility of paying for this so-called ‘stimulus’ without seeing any benefit from it. The legislature squandered the best chance in a generation to make some much-needed reforms to the antiquated horse-and-buggy form of government that has plagued our state from a cost standpoint and an accountability standpoint for over a century.

“If there’s to be any positive from this, it’s our hope that people across South Carolina will see just how ill-served they are under our current system of government. What the Supreme Court said today is that a governor elected to represent the interest of four million South Carolinians doesn’t matter – the only thing that matters is the will of legislative leadership elected by a few thousand, and the will of the Supreme Court justices elected by and funded by those very same legislators. That’s just one of many tragic oddities in our state government, but it’s emblematic of the legislative dominance keeping our state from competing in the 21st Century. In our final 18 months in office, we’re going to use every tool available to us to highlight some much-needed reforms to our governmental structure, but it’s going to take energy and commitment on the part of every South Carolinian who wants to see those changes to help us push them over the finish line.”

As Gov. Sanford previously noted, he plans to abide by the Court’s decision and will sign needed paperwork to draw down stimulus dollars.

Sanford loses stimulus fight - The Post and Courier

 

[Reba]

Here's what Sen. Graham said:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the South Carolina Supreme Court decision forcing the Governor to apply for the stimulus funding.

“While I have great respect for the Court, I am very concerned this decision has caused great damage to separation of powers within our state government. Separation of powers is a concept that has served our state and nation well.

“While I disagreed with the Governor’s decision to not apply for the stimulus funds, I believe it was his decision to make under the federal statute.

“With today’s ruling it appears our courts have substituted the General Assembly’s discretion for that of the Governor. One could easily see it, in a legal sense, as an assault on the highest office in our state. This decision will erode the power of the governor to make discretionary decisions conferred upon him by the federal government.

“If the governor is unable to perform the task set forward in the federal law, I fear that the governorship has, in many ways, been reduced to a ministerial job.

“The office of the Governor is the highest elected position in the state and one in which every eligible voter has the opportunity to have a say on. Long after the $700 million in stimulus funds is exhausted the impact of this ruling will continue to be felt. I fear today’s decision will haunt our state for decades to come.”

Sanford loses stimulus fight - The Post and Courier

 

[kokonut]

The money isn't free. It's a short term solution that does nothing to solve any long term and on going problem. What it does is reward people to be reckless with money but nothing about encouraging fiscal responsibility and accountability. Maxing out on your credit cards thinking it's a solution to help ease your debt burden is not only stoopid but naive to even think that. Yep, the toilet has been flushed and we're already circling the drain. Just remeber, in 3 1/2 years from now just look back to this day and you'll see the mistakes on fiscal irresponsibility.

 

[darkdog]

Apparently, Governor Sanford doesn't care for the people of SC if he's willing to turn down stimulus money.

So the governor doesn't want to accept the money because it will put his state on the hook for programs it will have to fund in the future thus adding to the state's debt, ergo the governor doesn't care about the people? That sounds like odd logic. Could you explain that?

 

[BradB08]

So the governor doesn't want to accept the money because it will put his state on the hook for programs it will have to fund in the future thus adding to the state's debt, ergo the governor doesn't care about the people? That sounds like odd logic. Could you explain that?

The stimulus is a short-term fix and no one seems to care about debt anymore except for penny-pinching conservatives (which I happen to dislike greatly) because they think that they're being heroes by turning down such money.

Someday, money will cease to exist anyway. Bring back the barter system.

 

[C.C.Sinned]

Tno one seems to care about debt anymore

tell that to all the unemployed, mortgage holders and every American living from paycheck to paycheck that barely making ends meet

 

[darkdog]

The stimulus is a short-term fix and no one seems to care about debt anymore except for penny-pinching conservatives (which I happen to dislike greatly) because they think that they're being responsible by turning down such money.

Fixed.

You know, we have a national debt exceeding $11 trillion and a deficit of almost $2 trillion. And entitlement spending (mainly social security and medicare) is set to sky rocket to unsustainable levels. The interest alone from all the debt required to pay it off will be enough to crush us. And we're only making it worse (Leap in U.S. debt hits taxpayers with 12% more red ink - USATODAY.com). What good is an ideology which doesn't care about all that and disdains those who do? Do we really want the whole nation going the way of California?

Someday, money will cease to exist anyway. Bring back the barter system.

"Hey man, I'll trade you my integrated circuit fabrication skills for a pair of shoes... You don't need someone with IC fabrication skills? Why not?... Oh, because you just make shoes? OK, I guess that makes sense..."