Posted on 03/26/2009 5:13:13 PM PDT by rabscuttle385
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - The battle continues in the stimulus standoff as Gov. Mark Sanford refuses to budge in his refusal to accept federal stimulus dollars.
The stimulus discussion took up a good part of Thursday's session, as lawmakers try to figure out what to do if the stimulus money doesn't come through.
"I have never in my 29 years tenure seen what have facing South Carolina this year," said state Sen. Hugh Leatherman, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
Leatherman explained his decision to ask for two drafts of the budget. One budget version will contain federal stimulus money, the other will be written without it.
The question is whether the senate has the authority to bypass Sanford and accept the money.
Leatherman fears if they do so, it may hold up the state budget while the question is settled in court.
"I'm confident a suit would be brought before this thing is resolved, we could tie this thing up for the whole year," said Leatherman.
But Sen. Jake Knotts said to send both versions to the governor, and leave it up to him.
"Let it be like the old bumper sticker we're used to seeing: 'Highways or Dieways, the choice is yours.' I think it ought to be, 'Budget or Budget, the choice is Mark's,'" said Knotts.
(Excerpt) Read more at wistv.com ...
ping
this is all getting weird
In most states, I would imagine the legislature to have authority on issues of money, not the governor. In other words, Mark’s opinion is likely irrelevant.
I shouldn’t say irrelevant. I would still expect the legislature to have some way to override a veto (depending on the constitution).
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