At a new conference Wednesday afternoon, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford announced he will request a federal loan of $146 milllion so that the state's unemployed workers can continue collecting benefits.
77,000 people depend on that money.
Governor Sanford wanted the Employment Security Commission audited. Initially he refused to sign a request for the federal loan. Sanford wanted changes before the state would apply for the federal loan to keep the checks flowing.
But, the Employment Commission would not agree to those terms.
In a sudden change of heart Wednesday, Sanford said those who rely on the money shouldn't have to suffer for that.
Employment Security Commission Chief Ted Halley says he welcomes an agency audit.
But Halley says he cannot provide new details about the unemployed without a costly retool.
At Wednesday's news conference, the governor hinted some on the commission might be more politically-motivated.
"'Cause in this case we have a separate Border Commission in this case that 170 legislators go out and they pick three of their own, and I don't think it's by coincidence that it just so happens that three former legislators are the commissioners for the Employment Security Commission," Gov. Sanford said.
The loaned money will carry unemployment benefits through March.
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