SC Gov Will Take Some, Not All, Stimulus Funds

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is officially accepting federal stimulus funds, beating tonight’s deadline, the Washington Post reports. The state is expected to receive around $8 billion, though Sanford has continued to reject $700 million earmarked for law enforcement and education. Sanford had wanted to use that money to pay down the state’s debt.

Sanford, a Republican, requested South Carolina’s share of bailout funds but doesn’t have to commit to using that $700 million until September 2010, the AP adds. But with lawmakers wanting to use the funds in a budget that takes effect July 1, it appears Sanford will have to make a final decision within a few weeks.
(More Mark Sanford stories.)