Gov: SC legislators to blame for stimulus problem

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says in a letter that legislators should be blamed for problems tied to federal stimulus money.

By: Associated Press | Media General
Published: March 30, 2009

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says in a letter that legislators should be blamed for problems tied to federal stimulus money.

Sanford on Monday responded to a letter Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman wrote last week. The Florence lawmaker asked the Republican governor to rethink his opposition to taking $350 million in federal stimulus cash. Leatherman said losing the money would create chaos with teachers losing jobs, tuition soaring and state agencies closing.

Sanford says legislators went on a spending spree and are trying to distract people. Sanford wants the federal money used to pay down debt.

The Senate Finance Committee meets Monday to begin writing two budgets. One includes stimulus money, while the other does not.