By Catherine M. Welch
Wilmington, NC – South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn says he hopes the White House will refuse to grant the state's governor a waiver to use stimulus money to pay down some of the state's debt.
Republican South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford wants to use $700-million of stimulus money to pay off existing debt rather than fund ongoing programs.
Sanford has been a vocal opponent to the president's stimulus plan, and says his request is not a political move. But South Carolina democrat and House Majority Whip James Clyburn says the request looks like political posturing to him.
"The governor, by taking away resources for doing all of those things that people say they need, means he's got a political agenda that runs contrary to the needs of his constituents."
South Carolina legislators are already working on a bill to override Sanford's request to use stimulus funding to pay off debt.
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