South Carolina Supreme Court orders governor to apply for stimulus money

[babylonsister]

SC high court orders Gov. Sanford to take money

By JIM DAVENPORT – 42 minutes ago


COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's Supreme Court ordered Gov. Mark Sanford on Thursday to take $700 million in federal stimulus money aimed primarily at struggling schools.

The decision brings a likely end to months of wrangling between the nation's most vocal anti-bailout governor and legislators who accused him of playing politics with people's lives.

The Republican governor had refused to take the money designated for the state over the next two years, even after legislators passed a budget requiring him to do so. He became the first governor to defend in court his desire to reject money from Washington.

Educators had predicted hundreds of teachers would lose jobs and colleges would see steep tuition increases without the money, though sharp budget cuts will still take a toll.

The state Supreme Court's ruling came a day after arguments in two lawsuits filed by students and school administrators. Sanford had tried to get those cases merged in federal court with his lawsuit, which he filed moments after legislators overrode his budget veto. But he lost that battle Monday when a federal judge refused to take those cases.

more...

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i0snBwpMwrKT0jwYICvY0LIAoavQD98K294G1

[NightWatcher]

1. his attys just knew that the SC would side with him....

good for the students

[ClarkUSA]

2. Please let this guy run in 2012.

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

3. You should hear him whining on the local media.

He just can't understand how a Republican-controlled legislature would possibly have overridden his perfectly rational veto of the stimulus-included budget. Earth to Mark, come in please...

[dgibby]

5. Because they hate his guts!

This is the best political news I've heard since moving to SC in '87.

BTW, he's up for trade on Ebay, not that anyone would want him. Hell, we couldn't pay somebody to take him, damn the bad luck!

Charleston County had to close 5 schools this year. Not good.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. Excellent...

And the democrats in the Alaska legislature have just informed Ms. Sarah that they are going to vote to override her veto of the energy stimulus funds.

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/06/letter-on-stimulus-fund-rejection-to.html

[dgibby]

6. Well, alrighty then. Way to go!