“Cornered” Sanford – Will He Seek Stimulus Funds?
Backed into a corner, S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford is expected to announce his intention later today to apply for roughly $740 million in disputed federal “stimulus” funds – money he has been fighting for several months to control.
Or will he?
Sanford’s other option is to effectively force the S.C. Supreme Court to declare the executive branch of government in South Carolina little more than a titular post – like Vichy France, or the Queen of England.
Of course, while Sanford remains the only person authorized by federal law to request this particular pot of “stimulus” money, it’s obvious at this point that it won’t be spent according to his wishes.
Lawmakers saw to that when they rejected an alternative budget proposed earlier this year that would have funded core services at their highest level ever while freeing up the “stimulus” money to be spent on debt repayment, as Sanford has proposed.
Then, last month, lawmakers’ overrode Sanford’s vetoes of their version of the state’s $20.6 billion budget – a budget which appropriated the controversial one-time funds on recurring expenses.
Following lawmakers’ veto, Sanford filed a preemptive lawsuit, while two suits were filed against him.
Now, with the way paved for the S.C. Supreme Court to rule on the two suits against him, Sanford’s fight is all but over.
The Court – whose members are all appointed by the S.C. General Assembly – has already signaled its intentions to rule in favor of the Legislature, which means Sanford is headed for a guaranteed defeat should he choose to keep fighting.
Additionally, a ruling effectively granting lawmakers powers that were federally-prescribed to the state’s chief executive could have severe long-term implications on the state’s separation of powers, such as it is.
Stay tuned …
Comments
By Time to Call on June 1st, 2009 at 3:23 pm
This isn’t shocking really. Those suits had no place in Federal Court and our state Supreme Court has precedent on these issues with many prior rulings, most recently if I recall against then former Governor Hodges. Our state constitution allows the general assembly the majority of power, so I don’t understand why that is news…it has been around quite some time now. How would they rule on this, well oddsmakers would bet against the Governor and thats a good bet likely, not because they are anti Sanford/anti governor’s office, but because they are enforcing the constitution of the state.
The law was simple, it was passed, vetoed, and overridden therefore making it law. The Governor failed to uphold the law and that is what he is entrusted to do.
It makes me wonder if he didn’t like a bill that bumped the speed limit down to 60 on interstates, and he vetoed it and it was overridden….would he still think it’s ok to drive above that speed. Chances are no, and we see what this all boils down to for him…. simply:
A Governor that fails to uphold the duties of the office the majority of the people of this state elected him to do….because it has allowed him to grandstand nationally.
Save yourself on this Governor Sanford. As someone who supported you in 2002, please don’t let this state down, again.
By Doug Ross on June 1st, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Sanford should announce he will request the money and then announce he’s going on sabbatical because the Legislature runs the state anyway. Hand the keys to the Governor’s mansion over to Andre Bauer and then watch while South Carolina goes further down the toilet between now and 2010. It will be a sweet “F-U” moment when the economy crashes leaving Harrell and Leatherman to point fingers at each other.
By newzjunkie on June 1st, 2009 at 4:52 pm
@Doug Ross: Isn’t that how it’s done federally too? The President can’t do anything with Congress’ approval. The Legislature makes laws – everyone else has to abide by them.
This Holy than Thou state is no different.
By Know Nothing on June 1st, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Hilarious commentary on “South Carolina’s version of the Onion”
http://thediscust.com/
By liz on June 2nd, 2009 at 7:13 am
thank goodness the people of South Carolina will get the money that Sanfraud wants to give to Fidelity….
sorry to harp on it FITS but honestly, I am denied all law enforcement opportunities. I only hope people are listening and will withdraw every cent from these evil people.
FMR owned Tyco, ENRON, WorldCom, GM, Chrysler, Countrywide Mortgages, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by statements of beneficial ownership
FMR is the single largest shareholder of AIG
FMR is ” TOO BIG TO FAIL” and Fidelity is holding the Social Security Trust Fund.
SUE ME IF I WRONG SO I CAN GEt this MESS IN COURT