THE ISSUE: Budget with stimulus dollars

OUR OPINION: Lawmakers’ budget should overrule Sanford

If, as critics say, Gov. Mark Sanford is looking for a high profile in his rejection of federal stimulus dollars for South Carolina, he’s getting it.

With the state Legislature this week agreeing on a budget that includes $350 million in federal stimulus dollars under the governor’s control, the stage is set for a showdown over the $700 million in federal cash that would be South Carolina’s over two years. The money is designed to help South Carolina’s schools and colleges, and law enforcement.

Sanford does not have the votes to sustain an expected veto of the budget, setting up a showdown if the governor will not act to accept the federal money.

The subject of much debate, Sanford’s rejection of the money is rooted in opposition to the federal stimulus package designed to jump start the economy. Sanford says South Carolinians will have to pay the money back and they are already saddled with enough taxation. The governor did agree to accept the cash, but only if lawmakers targeted funds toward paying down state debt. They did not do so in the new budget.

Legislators are using the money to prevent major budget cuts in education, law enforcement, corrections and social services. Critics, including U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn, say Sanford is ignoring the welfare of South Carolinians in favor of gaining a national profile to run for president as “a real conservative.”

Let’s not forget that the Legislature has a Republican majority. And even though lawmakers’ feuds with Sanford are well documented, it is safe to say the General Assembly is by no means liberal.

Lawmakers are looking for a way to prevent a budgetary nightmare that will see teacher layoffs, dwindling numbers of law officers and more. They are aware that using the money now and next year could mean problems with future budgets for which no more federal money is forthcoming. If the state’s revenues do not return to levels that can sustain the spending, cuts will have to be made.

Gambling on an improving economy is worthwhile. The cuts that lawmakers do not want to make now may not have to be made in the future. Big-time budget cuts for education and the other services will hurt South Carolinians.

The likely scenario is a move to the state Supreme Court, which would decide whether a legislative decision to approve the budget and override a Sanford veto is legal mandate for accepting the federal money.

Despite arguments based on the 10th amendment powers of the state vs. the federal government, we foresee the court siding with the state’s legislative process. The governor has made his objections known and will be overridden formally. The federal money is to be included in the state spending plan for 2009-10. Legally, that should mean the money is being accepted by the state.

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