Gov. Sanford to Reject $700 Million in Funds; State Legislature to Bypass Governor
From the NewsObserver.com:
WASHINGTON — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is expected Wednesday to become the first governor to formally reject some of the federal stimulus money earmarked by Congress for his state.
The move will cement Sanford’s growing reputation as a political powerhouse among Republican party stalwarts nationwide — though how much of the estimated $8 billion in stimulus funds destined for South Carolina will be affected is unclear. The law allows state legislative leaders to accept funds the governor rejects [and something I think is clearly unconstitutional].
“Our objections to the so-called stimulus bill have been well-chronicled for the way it spends money that we don’t have and for the way this printing of money could ultimately devalue the American dollar,” Sanford said on Tuesday, even as he acknowledged that he’ll accept some.
“Those of us opposed to this package lost the debate on these merits, and I now think it is important we look for creative ways to apply and use these monies in accordance with the long-term interests of our state,” he said.
Still, Sanford’s formal rejection will enhance his standing as a Republican willing to challenge President Barack Obama, a position Sanford first took Dec. 1, when he traveled to Philadelphia to challenge the then president-elect directly at a meeting with the nation’s governors.
Since then, a handful of other governors — all Republicans, all talked about as possible 2012 presidential candidates — have joined Sanford in saying they’d reject at least some of their states’ stimulus shares. …
All the attention, plus Sanford’s increased travel to address Republicans in Washington, Texas and beyond, have sparked talk that he’s eyeing a 2012 presidential campaign. …
Sanford urged 1,000 activists, gathered in late February at the Ronald Reagan Banquet in a Washington hotel, to be prepared to lose, and to feel happy about it.
“Would you be willing to support a cause or a candidate that is likely to lose?” Sanford asked conventioneers at the Conservative Political Action Committee’s annual gathering.
As the diners leapt to their feet and applauded, Sanford declared:
“The name of the game is staying true to the principles that got you into politics in the first place _ and letting the chips fall where they may.” …
Sanford, 48, was elected to Congress in 1994 in a midterm election that gave Republicans control of the House for the first time in half a century.
While most of his colleagues abandoned their term-limit pledges, dropped plans to jettison the Department of Education and became less averse to federal spending, Sanford slept on a cot in his office, opposed most appropriations bills _ and left after six years.
In 2002, Sanford became the first South Carolina governor to rise to the state’s highest office without first serving in the state’s legislature.
I’ll remind my readers that the Supreme Court has already set precedent — such as in New York v. US – in that while the federal government has the power to appropriate funds for the States, it does not have the power to “commandeer” (to use Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s word) the States into accepting money, as if the States were merely administrative arms of the federal government.
Update: CNN reports further:
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – The United States faces a Zimbabwe-style economic collapse if it keeps “spending a bunch of money we don’t have,” South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday. …
“What you’re doing is buying into the notion that if we just print some more money that we don’t have and send it to different states, we’ll create jobs,” he said. “If that’s the case, why isn’t Zimbabwe a rich place?”
Zimbabwe has been in the throes of an economic meltdown ever since the southern African nation embarked on a chaotic land reform program. Its official inflation rate topped 11 million percent in 2008, with its treasury printing banknotes in the trillion-dollar range to keep up with the plummeting value of its currency.
Update: From TheState, apparently the legislature is about to do an end-run around the Governor (like I said, I think this is unconstitutional, and I hope that a legal challenge comes out of it):
The governor said he will not accept $700 million in federal aid for state budgets unless South Carolina can use the money to pay off retirement, health care costs and other debts — making him the nations’ first governor to specifically reject portions of the federal aid. …
His critics, including Democratic Majority Whip Rep. JimClyburn, said the intent of the $787 billion stimulus package was to create or sustain jobs. Clyburn said he thinks President Barack Obama will reject Sanford’s request [as if the President has that kind of authority]. …
Clyburn urged state legislators to bypass Sanford and request the money, which lawmakers in both chambers said they intend to do.
Update: HumanEvents.com has posted Gov. Sanford’s official letter to the President.
-Phil
Greg Goss,
Either way, the States are governed by their respective constitutions and can only be overruled by the US Constitution if there are specifically enumerated powers at the federal level that are legally exercisable.
-Phil
If the bill allows the state legislator to over ride the governor and accept the funds would it work the other way around? The legislators of a state could vote to not accept the funds if a governor accepted them?
“For someone to hire 3 high profile Law firms and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars”
Actually, if all of you will recall, in the article by Politico that is posted here, Obama’s lawyers are working pro bono. Remember?
Phil:
I agree with your leaning towards something embarrassing as the reason. It may be that it would be embarrassing not only to Obama, but to the whole political arena. Perhaps, and this is conjecture only, others in the political arena have encouraged his silence.
It certainly seems this new administration is bent on sending our country to bankruptcy and alienating our allies as the totally outrageous return of a bust of Winston Churchill,given us by the United Kingdom.Since I don’t wear a tinfoil hat,it is way beyond my abilities to understand what Mr.Obama is up to.I pray our eyes will be opened and soon.
If he doesn’t litigate this all the way to SCOTUS then it will be seen as political posturing.He needs to get a ruling behind him and pound these wacky treasonist legislators into hamburger!…and that applies to the mafia as well.
Sheriff Joe ‘2012′
Phil,
I am still of the opinion that what that great intellect Biden spoke about before the inauguration, something to the effect that 6 months after the inauguration there would be an issue (“we’ll be tested”) that the population would not like, but that they needed us to stand behind them, was in reference to the exposure of BHO’s ineligibility and the DNC’s cover-up and subsequent need to amend the Constitution.
Because the mob has ruled, that “Natural Born” is not a requirement.
It’s quite interesting, that as every day passes, that even the most ardent supporters are beginning to realize BHO is not so brilliant. His policies certainly expose this. For that matter, how would anyone know how brilliant he is rumored to be, when none of his academic transcripts have been released? Certainly is a catch 22.
Air Force Brat,
In theory, yes. However, as I point out in the posting, I think that either way of bypassing the Governor — unless a given State’s constitution says otherwise — runs against the Tenth Amendment.
-Phil
If it was embarrassing it would of been an issue for the election. That is over, he has his supporters so something embarrassing seems moot. Can college entrance documents be embarrassing as well?
While the amount of money being spent is not known, we can do a little math. We know what these law firms charge and we have an idea of how many hours have been spent…
The article brings up an interesting thought: If state legislatures can “go around” a governor’s refusal to take Porkulus money and accept it anyway, shouldn’t they also logically be able to “go around” a governor’s acceptance of Porkulus money as well,and refuse said money?
Nautique196,
Good observation. I think that part of the issue for the press is that the question is premised on Article 2, Section 1, Clause 5 of the Constitution and not some unproven, ill-cited claim put forth by a true conspiracy theorist.
In other words, the question can be answered.
-Phil
In regards to the birth certificate and the college records-if we are all so nuts, why are so many newpapers and Internet sites all of a sudden reporting on the issue? You would think that it would just go away. The issue will never go away as Obama is likely hiding many things. I do not necessarily think it is something that could remove him, but it could show him as a complete liar.
Phil,
But hiding the birth certificate doesn’t explain the reason for sealing all other records (even in Kenya).
It is obvious at this point that Obama is a fraud.
Courage and Godspeed
Dear Phil -
Lord, help us. South Carolina seceded first – the Year was 1960, I believe…after my time, but actually not that long ago. This time, Mississippi will probably not be #2. Look for an upstart, like Louisiana…or Alabama. MARCH MADNESS!!
Mr. Charlie Daniels, Esq., himself, once put together a little ‘number’ called “THE SOUTH’S GONNA DO IT AGAIN.” I wonder what he means. Perhaps he’ll authorize some fiddle playing on your outstanding site, so we can listen, whilst Rome burns.
Best,
Joe
JayA,
Two things:
1. How much the Defendants have ever spent on any eligibility lawsuit is completely conjecture at this point;
2. I am really leaning towards there being something embarrassing as the reason for why the President hasn’t willingly furnished any vital documentation to date.
-Phil
Way to go Governor Sanford. This country needs more leaders willing to stand up for what is right.
For someone to hire 3 high profile Law firms and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep the world from seeing or knowing about a $10.oo birth certificate,shows one of two things MUST be true
1. that person is insane
2.that person is a liar and has embarressing things to hide
One thing apparently many people do not understand about all of this so called stimulus money is that it is not anything out of the ordinary unless of course you are from Kenya. So the congress passed some spending that allows for roads and bridges. Big Deal. We over here in the United States have been building roads and bridges since the Brooklyn Bridge. Where was ‘bamy when we built that? We built interstate systems long before ‘bamy was born. We built infrastructure long before ‘bamy was born. No my man ‘bamy hate to disappoint you on this one. You my man are not responsible for the greatness of the United States of America. I know, I know you think you are but I hate to break the bad news to you there were fourty four people before you who occupied the White House all you are is a grain in the sands of time. What is any red-blooded American going to do turn down road improvements? You are not a genius ‘bamy in fact you make me laugh. What is any red-blooded American going to do not reach out his hand to help his fellow man, his next door neighbor? You are wrong again ‘bamy we have been helping out are fellow man since the days when we help jump start somebody’s car a total stranger if you will and didn’t expect a dime in return. My man ‘bamy listen and take note as your subscribers and followers are reading this and trying to pick it apart. You have for the most part lied about your past and have hidden critical documentation from the taxpayers. If you are to embarrassed about you Birth Certificate show it to the congress and let them acknowledge what is on it. We don’t personally want to see it we just want to make sure that our Representatives in Washington see it that is what they are there for. You’ll have a good night I will return…