Final Holdout Governor Will Now Accept Stimulus Revenue Washington Submit Employees Author
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Sanford complied with yesterday's deadline for governors to look for the cash allotted by Congress and President Obama with the $787 billion stimulus bill. Sanford, viewed being a likely presidential contender, is essentially the most outspoken of the handful of GOP governors who have criticized Obama's method. He repeatedly said he would reject stimulus money simply because he didn't presume the nation really should go into financial debt to fund recovery efforts.
In spite of his reversal, Sanford said he'll not draw from a $700 million portion of the stimulus for schooling and law enforcement except he reaches a handle South Carolina's Republican-controlled legislature to help pay off a few of the state government's debt.
Sanford informed reporters yesterday that the stimulus represents "the lottery of all lotteries" and that state governments really should spend many of the bucks "prudently" by paying down debt. "We imagine it is incredibly important to spend first for the political promises that are on the table before you go out and make a bunch of additional political promises," he stated.
All 50 governors submitted certification letters to the White House claiming recovery funding. But some GOP governors -- including Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Sarah Palin of Alaska and Rick Perry of Texas -- have said they will turn away several of the funds, such as funding to expand state unemployment insurance.
South Carolina has an 11 percent unemployment rate,
Office Home And Student 2010 Key, the nation's highest outside of Michigan,
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Sanford's move comes after weeks of battling with leaders in Washington and Columbia. Twice,
Office Professional 2010 Key, the Obama administration rejected Sanford's requests to use the $700 million to repay financial debt, saying the money must be spent on public safety and schools.
Sanford's resistance to the stimulus put him at odds with House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.),
Office 2010 Professional Plus, who happens to be in talks with Education Secretary Arne Duncan about ensuring that South Carolina receives its share regardless with the governor's stance.
"Financial debt payment during an economic crisis is like water conservation during a house fire -- it worsens the condition," claimed Kristie Greco, a spokeswoman for Clyburn. "When the economy begins to rebound, we can return to paying down financial debt."