Obama rejects SC gov's bid to use stimulus on debt

[kpete]

Source: Associated Press

Obama rejects SC gov's bid to use stimulus on debt

By JIM DAVENPORT – 25 minutes ago

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Obama administration has rejected South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's request to use $700 million in federal stimulus cash to pay down state debt.

White House Budget Director Peter Orszag (OHR'-zag) said in a letter to the Republican on Monday that the federal stimulus law doesn't allow President Barack Obama to make an exception for that cash. Sanford sought a waiver last week, asking to pay off debt rather than use the money to create jobs and avoid deep program cuts.

Sanford has criticized the $787 billion stimulus plan, saying it will lead to higher taxes and debt. And he is criticizing Obama and Democrats for airing an ad in the state that says the governor is playing politics with the stimulus cash instead of using it for health care, jobs and schools.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gaIoIBhAVWKNcjxB9AYbJRYOiLlgD96V8T6O0

[tomm2thumbs]

1. i want to pay down my debt too - gimme some too Gov. Sanford

Remember, South Carolina was up in the air during the election's closing days - this guy and his party are an endangered species

[Catbird]

2. SOS -- South Carolinians Oppose Sanford

The State Newspaper (Columbia, SC) published several letters on Sanford's request this morning. None of the writers supported Sanford; all opposed his actions. Since the newspaper generally tries to publish representative letters, I assume that they got basically nothing in support.

New anti-Sanford Facebook groups have started appearing. I would guess that other social networks show similar activity.

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

3. Sometimes emergency situations require new thinking...

Sanford, clouded by hubris and states-rights dogma, doesn't get this. The people of the "other South Carolina" surely get it...that while balanced budgets are very good things, there are occasionally a few things that are even more important. The folks at Branchville--where a tornado hit a year ago today, but where state and federal assistance has not arrived yet -- understand this. The folks at Allendale--where unemployment is near 25 percent--understand this. So do the folks at "the Dillons" across the forgotten part of the state, where schools are crumbling. Sanford doesn't see any of this as being as important in an emergency than debt retirement. In short, Sanford only cares about "his own kind" and to hell with everybody else.

http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=51918579246

[AndyTiedye]

7. Can You Recall the Governor in SC?

[Seeking Serenity]

8. I think his name is Sanford, isn't it?

:rofl:

[SunsetDreams]

4. lol Did he really think Obama would say...

Okay sure..here do what you want with the money

[SemiCharmedQuark]

5. YES! I'm glad Obama held his ground on this.

Now please Obama, do something more than *talk* about the AIG bonuses.

[noiretextatique]

6. republicants are making themeselves more and more irrelevant

:applause: please continue

[SCantiGOP]

9. the asshole has done it again

He fine-tuned and re-submitted the proposal to use the money to pay down state debt, which the Republicans caused by slashing the property tax two years ago in favor of the most regressive tax there is, the sales tax. Economy slumps, sales tax drops. We also have an idiotic provision here that caps the sales tax on a car at $300, meaning you pay the same tax for a $6,000 used car as a $60,000 luxury car.
This is really starting to turn against him here though. Everyone knows he is doing it to play to a national office, whether he makes a run for the White House or not. I've heard people who have never voted for a Democrat in their life express regret that they voted for him.
And to answer a previous post, no, South Carolina does not have a recall provision. We're stuck with this guy until January 2012 and he's not eligible to run again. I would love a Sanford/Palin ticket to run against Obama: they would carry Alaska, Utah and South Carolina.