Area native in stimulus lawsuit fight 5/31/2009 11:48 PM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
Justin Williams graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2006, serving as Student Body president his senior year.
He spent the next 15 months working in pharmaceutical sales in Atlanta before returning to USC to attend law school and has completed his second year.
"In my heart, I'm still a country boy from Wagener," Williams said in a telephone interview Sunday. "I grew up with the people there ... and that allows me to see the world through their eyes. If no one is standing up for them, they need someone representing their issues."
That's one of the reasons why Williams has joined a highly-publicized lawsuit that, if successful, would force the state to accept about $700 million in federal stabilization funds to offset cuts to K-12 and higher education and to law enforcement.
Williams' parents, Shorn and Judy Williams, still live in Wagener.
Gov. Mark Sanford has refused to use the funds for that purpose, arguing that the money should be used to alleviate state debt requirements. Sanford wanted other cuts in the state budget to pay for education, but the S.C. General Assembly approved a budget that includes the stabilization funds.
Sanford is seeking a ruling to have a total of three lawsuits on the issue heard in federal court instead of state court.
U.S. District Court Judge Joe Anderson could issue a ruling on Sanford's request today.
Williams has seen the impact of state cuts directly at the law school. He's a member of the mock trial team, and he doesn't think travel funds will be available during the next term for competitions against other universities. Adjunct professors also won't be rehired. While they didn't teach the required core courses, Williams said, they did provide practical courses related to insurance, the legislative process and workers' compensation. Such courses add to the law school experience, he said.
He's also concerned about K-12 education, where the budget cuts are impacting Wagener schools and those throughout the Aiken County School District and the state. The loss of the stabilization funds would also hurt law enforcement and prisons, which could see inmates released early.
Sanford's stance is one of principle, said Williams. In his desire to see some funds used to retire debt, the governor might actually be right in terms of economic theory, Williams said.
"But in practice," he said, "in a state where the educational system is already suffering, it doesn't make sense to pay down debt. We have public universities and schools that are struggling, as well as law enforcement. This money was sent to the state for the clear purpose of helping them get through the slump right now."
The governor is entitled to his opinion, said Williams, but that opinion is going to have a negative impact on the state.
"I don't understand how he could just say he would rather send it (the stabilization money) back," Williams said. "That's what's going to happen if we don't take it."
The lawsuit was originally filed with only Chapin High School student Casey Edwards as a plaintiff. Williams heard about it and decided to research the positions of Sanford and others objecting to his stance before getting involved. Then the suit was dismissed as "premature."
Earlier this month, Williams talked with lawyers involved in the case and confirmed his interest in becoming part of the renewed legal action. Columbia attorney Dwight Drake said Edwards will graduate from high school June 6 and may no longer have standing in the lawsuit.
"It's helpful to have another plaintiff," Drake said. "He's a rising third-year law student, and the universities are impacted by this funding situation as much as the public schools."
Williams won't predict what will happen with the lawsuits. Just because the facts may appear to favor one side doesn't necessarily assure a favorable outcome.
"I'm honored to have this opportunity to do what I feel is right for the citizens of the state," he said. "Standing on the sidelines would not be a good feeling for me. We have a possibility to get these funds drawn down. But I wish the governor had signed the legislation to get the money drawn before. Then we wouldn't have to be here."
Like other career fields, the legal profession is not immune to the slumping economy. Williams is interested in employment and labor law and is hopeful that some prospective positions will emerge next year.
"I've been blessed with a lot of opportunities, and my family has always been supportive," he said. "I'm proud to be from a place like Wagener, which has given me the perspective to use good judgment in life."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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Comment Title:
Justin keep up the good work. Obvioulsy these IDIOTS don't have a clue! They will be calling you MR.PRESIDENT before it's over !
Posted by: Rebel Soldier On: 6/2/2009
Comment Title:
Re-read my comments, I didn't say that every university in S.C, didn't require SAT, and I also stated that S.C. will always rank at the bottom because of the system.
Posted by: On: 6/1/2009
Comment Title:
You have had your 15 minutes of fame. If you want travel funds get yourself a JOB! It appears you aren't learning very good judgement in law school. This is nothing more than a frivolous law suit and will cost taxpayers for a judge to hear your nonsense.
Posted by: On: 6/1/2009
Comment Title: Ryberg and company - not pro-education
Hurrah for students standing up for their education! Down with arrogants like Ryberg and his buddy the Governor who refuse to give a chance to all by promoting public education! The strong will prevail, even in our poor state. Let us stand together against these oppressors!
Posted by: On: 6/1/2009
Comment Title: To "Rebel soldier"
Sorry to say but it's you "without a clue". Whether you look at SAT, ACT, and other variables SC's rank in public education does not change. And your comment about "only the elite" take the SAT is completely wrong, every university in the state requires it or the SAT for admission consideration, not just those "elite" schools. The "whining" you refer to is just by people like me who care about things in public education and hope for some improvement instead of the status quo. Giving stimulus dollars that we must repay anyway to other states for their education systems instead of ours is just inconprehensible.
Posted by: Rebel Soldier On: 6/1/2009
Comment Title:
Here you go again talking about how bad the educational system is in s.c. and the problem is you haven't a clue. Approximately 23 states use SAT as their primary college entrance test, the remaining 27 states use the ACT, therefore, in reality no one can be sure S.C. ranks 48 or 49th in SAT scores or where we would rank in 50 states. Only the elite take the SAT for various reasons such as scholarships, entance to out of state schools that require SAT etc. So for a well educated person its obvious when a minute percentage of students (the elite in 27 states take the same test (SAT) as a large percentage of the population in 23 states, the elite 27 states will always score higher. Many states do not allow struggling students to use the school code to register for the SAT. No code=not reported to school=not included in rankings. S.C. gives all students the code. This is why S.C. ranks at the bottom in SAT and always will. No amount of stimulas money will ever change this. However there are those who will always whine about the educational system in S.C.
Posted by: On: 6/1/2009
Comment Title:
I see my tax dollars are hard at work. I bet this individual got a free ride to school on my tax money while I have to pay to send mine to school. Here he is trying to get another free ride.
Posted by: On: 6/1/2009
Comment Title:
It's great to see students taking a stand against this travesty our "governor" is putting this state through, a state with already the worst education in the land, third highest unemployment rate, etc. I hope he serves as a model to all students in the state that attend universities, tech schools, etc. to remember this year and the politicians that helped support Sanford in his efforts (like our Senators Massey and Ryberg) and vote appropriately.
Posted by: On: 6/1/2009
Comment Title:
Thank you Justin Williams for standing up for South Carolina when our own Gov will not.
Posted by: On: 6/1/2009
Comment Title: Shortsighted
Clearly students such as these bring honor to South Carolina. The perspective is fresh and responsible. Our state needs more well-educated students like him to bring us out of our economic slump, and we won't get them by refusing the help the federal government is offering us.
Posted by: On: 6/1/2009
Comment Title:
But, but, but he won't have "travel funds" to go play at being a lawyer with other law students.
Posted by: On: 5/31/2009
Comment Title:
Apparently growing up in Wagener didn't give that good of a perspective when you are suing the taxpayer to subsidize you lifestyle. Sounds like you and the other students just need to pay more tuition for the burden you put on the educational system. There is no free lunch.
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