Sanford hints stimulus fight nearing an end 6/1/2009 11:40 PM
By JIM DAVENPORT Associated Press
COLUMBIA -- A federal judge dealt a major blow Monday to Gov. Mark Sanford's months-long fight to stop South Carolina from taking $700 million in federal stimulus money, and the governor said the battle may be nearing an end.
"It looks like we will be bound to spend that money," Sanford told reporters. "I would say that would be a very plausible outcome given the foreshadowing that's been done today."
The Republican with possible presidential aspirations has railed against President Barack Obama's $787 billion bailout package, penning op-eds for national publications and appearing on television talk shows. But he's dealt with protests at home, where educators have predicated massive teacher layoffs without the money for already cash-strapped schools.
The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday in lawsuits filed by two students and the South Carolina Association of School Administrators that seek to force Sanford to take the cash. U.S. District Judge Joseph Anderson on Monday rejected Sanford's efforts to get those suits into federal court.
"Hopefully we'll get our answers now," said Casey Edwards, one of the students who sued. She is to graduate from Chapin High School next week.
Sanford said he'll go along with whatever the state court decides. He had sued state Attorney General Henry McMaster in federal court after the legislature overrode his veto of a budget that required him to accept the $700 million over two years. The judge made no decisions on that case, but Sanford said he'll drop it if he loses the state Supreme Court fight.
"We're not going to carry on with a whole series of legal appeals," he said.
Kershaw County Schools Superintendent Frank Morgan said the news brought an "overwhelming feeling of relief. This has been such a long, long, long process. ... I think we've put a lot of good people through a lot of stress and anxiety that I'm not sure was necessary."
His district stands to get about $2 million of the $185 million slated to go schools around the state.
The news came the same day that thousands of would-be teachers packed a job fair where districts were only hiring 300 educators.
State Education Superintendent Jim Rex was glad there'd be no more legal delays.
"We need to resolve this fiasco in a way that doesn't hurt kids. Every other state and governor is getting this done, and we need to get it done here, too," Rex said in a prepared statement.
Sanford has refused to request the $700 million he controls unless it's used to offset state debt. The White House twice rejected that approach.
Sanford thinks the federal stimulus law will devalue the dollar and saddle generations with debt. Judge Anderson was no fan of it either, saying it was poorly written. But he noted it was clear Congress intended to allow legislators to get around governors who didn't want the money, citing the role that U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., played in amending it.
Dick Harpootlian, the Columbia lawyer representing the students, said Sanford's legal efforts had amounted to delay tactics.
And Anderson noted the odd nature of the whole affair, quoting James Petigru, a former state attorney general who remarked when South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1860 that it was too small to be a republic and "too big to be an insane asylum."
Sanford noted the outcome likely weakens the powers of a governor's office that's already one of the weakest in the nation. Sanford's limited role involves a Cabinet, appointments to boards, vetoes and whatever he can do with bully pulpit of the office.
He could have requested the money and avoided a court decision that could mean reduced powers. But he said one of his advisers dismissed the idea, saying "if you're already naked, you're naked. Just call an ace an ace and don't try to pretend something is there that isn't there."
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Comment Title: To: Info on Ryberg
Perhaps people may want to give RYBERG a dose of his medicine by boycotting his stores. Why don't you get a life pal. The people of Aiken are sick and tired of RYBERG's politics.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 7:29 PM
Comment Title: Info about Ryberg
What difference does it make which stores Ryberg owns? Are you jealous? His stores are nothing more or nothing less than the other stores who sell gas and convenience items the major difference is HIS STORES ARE CLEANER and well organized. The prices are the same in his stores as the other stores, some items are cheaper. Maybe you should try working for a living because you have too much time on your hands. And by the way his stores are NOT in the POOR section of town. They are EVERYWHERE in Aiken and Augusta. He may have sold them all by now.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 7:24 PM
Comment Title: Insurance redtape
And who REQUIRES THE PAPERWORK? Haven't you heard. IT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! They are the ones who want to KNOW everything about an individual. Who pays almost $5000 for equipment for handicapped people that can be bought by a private person for $3000...THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Who pays $50 for a package of 2.98 bolts....THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Who pays $500 for a Mr. Coffee Coffeemaker...THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. And you think for one minute they are capable of running an INSURANCE PROGRAM. Puleeezzeee! Who approved almost $3million dollars in bogus medicare claims...THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Who sent out stimulus checks to DEAD PEOPLE? THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! Who stole the money from the Social Security fund? THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! Who is responsible for all of our jobs going to other countries? THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Don't you people GET IT? The federal government is nothing but a pack of leeches who suck people dry and leave them with NOTHING.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 6:47 PM
Comment Title: YUP
Sanford met his wife to be at the Hamptons on Long Island, which makes Kiowah look like Myrtle Beach. She is the grand daughter of the founder and owner of SKIL saws. Not bad.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 6:43 PM
Comment Title: Ryberg's stores
Apparently he owns the REI stores. I believe one is on Magnolia Street in Aiken. REI convenience and gas stores.
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Posted by: Stop the Carpetbaggin On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 4:20 PM
Comment Title: RYBERG'S BEEN-A-CARPETBAGGIN
I've heard too thay 'ole Rye-Rye has made a mint off these so-called convenience stores in poor areas and spends lots o time at beach resorts while tooling around in fancy cars....it's also hilarious that regular GOPers that love HIZZHONOUR Sanford don't know he spends more time palin around in the ritzy side of Manhattan than he does in his "home state"
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 4:17 PM
Comment Title:
To the people who angrily say that this is socialized medicine: Does it bother you that we have a socialized military in this country? And does it bother you that medical insurance companies pursue their business only because we, the people, allow them to? We don't allow all forms of business and free enterprise in this country. Why then should we allow these PARASITES to suck us all dry while never providing any medical care to anyone? Why should we allow them to so bury MDs in paperwork that half of the bright, motivated people in the medical profession want to quit? A medical insurance business could be, and should be, as illegal as a whorehouse!
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 4:06 PM
Comment Title: To: JCHUGHES
Sorry pal but you lost the last time!!! You can put your white sheet away and join this great country by pitching and supporting President Obama and his team. It's rather funny , but they the same thing about FDR back during the 30"s, Hmmmmm is history going to repeat itself and we will actually work our way out this economic situation. So get real pal and get a life.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 3:59 PM
Comment Title: RYBERG is "Rye Toast"!!!!!!!
The poor old carpetbagger from Wisconsin and his pals Sanford, Massey and Young are finished, kaput . The South Carolina Supreme Court finally spoke and said enough. So what is RYBERG going to next? How about running for dog catcher or get a worth while job with Aiken's refuse collection department.
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Posted by: Info About RYBERG Please On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 3:41 PM
Comment Title: Rybergs Stores
Yes, can someone shed some light on what Ryberg is doing with these "stores"? also what are they called?
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 3:08 PM
Comment Title: IT"'S OVER!!!!!!
The state supreme court ruled that Sanford must apply for the stimulus funds! Now what are Sanford, RYBERG, Massey and Young going to say and do now. Just remember them on the upcoming elections.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 3:06 PM
Comment Title: RYBERG stores
Just curious, what is the name of his operation and how many does he own?
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 2:04 PM
Comment Title:
Health care begins at home. You ARE what YOU EAT! If you eat HEALTHY you can avoid becoming ill. Leave the JUNKY FAST FOOD AT THE DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW. Get off your lazy arzs and COOK! Forget the fries and chips,and all of those sugar infested sodas, fatty hamburgers and processed chicken strips etc. Eat fresh fruit, lots of fresh salads and raw or steamed veggies. Broil or bake your LEAN meats chicken, fish and leave the RED MEAT ALONE. It's a silent killer and will clog your arteries, elevate your cholesterol and wreck your colon. Don't forget to drink WATER, lots and lots of WATER! Save yourself! I would rather spend my money on HEALTHY FOOD, than give it to some quack doctor or over inflated insurance company. If a person choses to live the fast food life style why should the taxpayers have to foot the bill for their careless attitude?
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Posted by: GO AHEAD, CALL A INSURANCE CO. AND ASK FOR FAMILY COVERAGE On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 1:38 PM
Comment Title: YOU DID MISS SOMETHING
like...premiums that are too expensive for average people to afford, rediculous "loop holes" like "prexisting conditions" for insurance companies, denial of claims because of "experimental treatment"...just to name a few..healt care needs reform big time and fast. All the fat cats and lap dogs for the insurance companies should be prosecuted
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 1:27 PM
Comment Title: I must have missed something
When did healthcare become a right? It is NOT. Some of you are just pitiful folks who can not take care of yourself and are envious of those who work hard to take care of themselves. The false entitlement mentality in America is out of control.
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Posted by: PASS ON SOME INFO RE: RYBERGS CARPETBAGGING On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 12:59 PM
Comment Title: Rybergs Carpetbagging
Can someone shed some light on this??? I have heard his coveniece stores exploiting the poor.
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Posted by: Hard Work...to Shake Things Up???? On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 12:19 PM
Comment Title: YEP >>>THE WHOLE CROWD
Ive heard people talk of Rybergs "carpetbagging" with poor folk and his "convenience" stores, Sanford well, hes just staging for 2012, Massey is supposedly protecting the borders and "shaking up" Columbia....I don't know why people are brainwashed into voting for this bunch
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 10:18 AM
Comment Title: GOOD!!!!!!!
Perhaps Sanford, RYBERG, Young and Massey's political career is near an end as well. The "silliness" that these clowns put us taxpayer through has been crazy. Just for their apparent political gain. Go figure and adios to them. Just remember when you vote.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, June 04, 2009 8:15 AM
Comment Title:
Sanford has a roof over his perfect hairsprayed doo and I am sure he eats 3 healthy meals a day. I wonder how he would feel if he suddenly had to live on unemployment . Because he is a politician I am sure he has a more then adequate nest egg. I hope he enjoys his 3 squares a day while plenty of people in his state go hungry. He should be but I am sure he is not ASHAMED of himself. Dispicable is the word that comes to mind!
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Posted by: 2012 IS NOT SOON ENOUGH On: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:51 PM
Comment Title: SAVE US FROM SANFORD
I know it would take too long to impeach, but thank god Sanfords office is one of the "weakest" in the US compared to other other states. All this guy is doing is trying to drum up as much coverage as possible on The Fox Noise Network to position himself for a run in 2012. And yes he is a "party" man for sure, GOP to the bone...I wish hizzonor would have to work like regular folk...oh yeah, he was in congress long enough to draw his "retirement" and "healthcare"..all because of SC voters that have republican, republican, republican drilled into their heads
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:11 PM
Comment Title: RE: Sanford thinks the federal stimulus law will devalue the dollar and saddle generations with debt.
Now, where was hizhonor The Gov when the The Shrub was on his spending and borrowing (from the Chinese) spree? Well, of course The Gov is, first an foremost, a dedicated party man, which means you only criticize those in the other branch of the one-party system.
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Posted by: Support UNIVERAL HEALTH CARE On: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 8:44 AM
Comment Title: To LOCAL
well yes, I do know people who are citizens that live in Canada, UK & France...and oh yeah I would be willing to pay a tax for it...HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE COST OF YOUR "PREMIUMS" LATELY????? Health care is a right, not a priviledge for a few wealthy people
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Posted by: Local On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 5:08 PM
Comment Title: Call it what it is
And you know about the healt care of Canadians, Brits and French, how? Have you ever lived in either of those countries?????? Also when and if we have a Universal Insurance Program do you realize you will be required to PAY A PREMIUM? Or do you think it will be FREE?
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Posted by: Call it what it is On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:27 PM
Comment Title: TAX CUT = SERVICE CUT
Call it what it is, a so called tax cut would be a service cut....and as far as universal health care goes look at the Canadians, Brits and French..oh yeah, they are living longer than us...so what if a coke costs more, it would be nice if ...god forbid.. anyone that has to go to the ER would'nt get smacked with a bill so big it would sink a battleship...the right has scared people into believing that making health care affordable would equal no healthcare
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Posted by: Local On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 3:47 PM
Comment Title:
You are right Todd v. The people posting to this forum who "don't believe" that THEY will have to help PAY FOR THIS MANIC SPENDING SPREE are living in a fantasy world. If they would stop playing video games long enough to watch C-span they would hear the lawmakers in Washington discussing TAX INCREASES including Coke, Pepsi, and anything that is not healthy to eat (this is another way they are planning to pay for the Universal Insurance Plan). They would also know that the government DOES NOT EARN ANY MONEY, THEY COLLECT AND SPEND TAXES! They also don't understand that a major portion of the people who have been laid off are from the UPPER INCOME GROUP which are the same ones THEY are hoping will shoulder the TAX BURDEN of paying back this ridiculous LOAN. They just don't get it. But what can you expect from the dregs of society who live off of the government welfare handouts anyway? It's the Owebama O'rama way!
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Posted by: toldya On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 3:20 PM
Comment Title: Sanford's stimulous fight
this guy needs to find a new job, and IF he runs for President, it will be a slam dunk for the democrats...again. He isn't listening to his people and thats the last thing the people need in SC- someone else not listening!
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Posted by: Petti-who On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 2:37 PM
Comment Title: Secession is ON
Check out the news that the Aiken Standard won't print: http://thediscust.com/?p=85
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Posted by: Sanford would be a Limbaugh pick! On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 2:12 PM
Comment Title: For President? You Gotta Be Kidding Me!
Do people in SC think that if Sanford runs for President in 2012 that he actually would have a snowballs chance in hades of winning?? Also all the people whining about paying taxes would dump a ton of money supporting this guy that so far to the right hes out of touch....hes actually someone good ole Limbaugh would support!
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Posted by: Todd v. On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 1:59 PM
Comment Title: We will be forever obligated in taking this money
The problem with the way this "stimulus bill is written is that once we accept this money and start the intended programs, we as a state will be obligated to contintue their funding and we have no say in the matter. The initial sum of money will only support said programs for less than 2 years, then the taxpayers of SC will be on the hook to continue their funding. It's a sham contract with sugar coating to get us to bite. We will pay for it, I promise. The govt does not provide anything that's not ultimately paid for by us taxpayers.
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Posted by: On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 1:58 PM
Comment Title: Hysteria and the sky falling
Nothing like some red meat to stir up the crowd like that posted below, such as the 3 dollar can of soda, what about the new toilet paper tax, new tax to increase the cost of a cellphone to 300 dollars a month, and don't forget the new sidewalk tax Obama will propose. If people read the news rather than listen to bloviators on talk radio, they can see facts to use. For example, see this publishes today by a national news source on Obama's tax increases. Quote: Increased ordinary income tax rates - Married couples making over $231,000 will see an increase in their marginal tax rate from 33 percent to 35 percent. Source: http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/managingyourmoney/archives/2009/06/looking_at_pres.html But of course, as the post puts it below, Increases taxes on those making $75,000 looks a lot more dangerous and will fire up a lot more people, despite being wrong. Sad.
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Posted by: Local On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 1:15 PM
Comment Title:
You are really naive if you think that taxation will not include every working human being! The bar of wealth was lowered by Obama to $75,000 per single person and $150,000 per married couple. So you can forget the $250,000 that was thrown out there during his campaign. The paltry tax credit will end up costing some taxpayers mega bucks 4/15/2010. You can bet your patootie that ALL of these stimulus funds will have to be paid back via TAXATION on both the federal and state levels. Watch for an increase in state and federal gasoline tax...target tax 6.00 per gallon. Watch for Coke, Pepsi and all other brands of soft drinks to be taxed at an alarming rate pushing the price of one 12oz. can to about $3.50, tap beer, liquor, wine and single can/bottle beer, sugar, salt, fast foods, fat foods, you name it are on the TAX HIT LIST and the above is just the tip of the iceberg. The state will probably increase sales tax, state income tax, property tax (real estate, vehicles, boats, motor homes, campers, etc.). I wouldn't be surprised if they implement a "renters tax" to help off set some of the debt that is being forced on our state. You see sir, or madame which ever you are...there is NOTHING FREE. Somebody has to pay and in all likely hood even those who pay no taxes now will soon learn that they too, will have to pay the piper. When will you people learn that the government GIVES YOU NOTHING? The government has NO MONEY, they collect MONEY via taxation FROM the people and are supposed to be guardians of it and spend it wisely, however they have failed to do what they were charged to do. They are like a bunch of drunken sailors. Government is out of control, spending is out of control and our country is BROKE. We have been fleeced to put it mildly. The sad thing is this PARTY "ain't" over yet the really wild spending has just begun.
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Posted by: Always, Always, The Family Values Crowd On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 12:44 PM
Comment Title: Here We Go!!!
Socialist, Communist, whatever.....everytime the goverment does anything, the good ole Family Values crowd starts wailing aboust socialism. Yes the feds can be wasteful and do pass a lot of pork, but what is the alternative??? School districts broke? Less money in law enforcement? IF WE DONT USE THE MONEY ANOTHER STATE WILL
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Posted by: On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 12:00 PM
Comment Title: Hey EEdan
As the post below you points out, the government did not force the state to take TARP funds, our SC legislature voted to do so. That is our states rights for you. Any re tax increases, I believe it will only be people making more than 250K or so that have that increase, so don't make it seem that every taxpayer will have a tax increase next April
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Posted by: EEDAN_BB On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 11:39 AM
Comment Title: Re: taxes and states rights
The taxes are going to go up per the end of year taxes (April 15, 2010). The states rights that are being concerned about are the same ones that the Federal Government is trying to ram the TARP funding down the state's throats. All of the states are going to have to pay the money back! Hello!! This is state welfare!!! Where are they going to get the money if they are already in debt? Probably in the way of taxes!!!The federal government is spending money that they do not have!!! What is going to keep Obama from trying to run the states like he has been ruining, I am sorry, running GM. Remember he fired GM's president. What is next, firing the states governors? The S.C. State House of Representatives have voted unanumously in favor of sovereignty (which is legal under the 10th Amendment). There are a few democrat hold-outs that are keeping it from being voted on in the S.C. State Senate. And it is the libs/socialist that call the GOP "the party of NO." Go figure!!!
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Posted by: On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 10:13 AM
Comment Title: To Jchughes
What is the tax increase imposed on us that you refer to? My taxes have not been increased by Obama? The states rights you refer to are alive and well, don't forget it was the majority of our elected state representatives and senators that voted to use this stimulus money, pretty good example of states rights if you ask me. Now if you want to start a movement to secede, good luck, it worked out real well the last time.
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Posted by: JCHUGHES On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 9:29 AM
Comment Title: Time to secede again
Q: Which nation was led by a power hungry dictator who forced his leaders to impose a tax burden on its people that will hurt for years to come? 1. The Soviet Union 2. Nazi Germany 3. The United States 4. All of the above. Seriously, what ever happened to state's rights? I vote for secession!
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Posted by: S.O.S. On: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 7:39 AM
Comment Title: US in Distress
I think it maybe time to hang our U.S. Flags upside down in response to the "socialist" direction we are being taken. We will be a socialist nation within a year.
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Posted by: On: Monday, June 01, 2009 11:09 PM
Comment Title:
Jim Rex may be an idiot. To say "we need to resolve this fiasco in a way that doesn't hurt kids", is just moronic. The kids will have a $700 million hanging over their head for a long time. What is the plan in 2011 after the "stimulus" (really bloated government) funds run out?
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