Read more: Local, State, National, Economy, Politics, Federal, Stimulus, Debate, State, South, Carolina, Governor, Mark, Sanford, Senator, Hugh, Leatherman
COLUMBIA, SC -- "I would be frightened too if i was looking at a chaos budget that was as draconian as the one Senator Leatherman has put together," says Governor Mark Sanford during a Thursday press conference.
Governor Sanford says lawmakers are trying to scare South Carolinians that not accepting the stimulus money could lead to disaster.
"The budget that Senator Leatherman has put together excludes - that's federal funding - excludes $578 million of other federal money."
Governor Sanford says that's funding Senators will eventually put back into the budget.
Finance Committee Chairman Senator Hugh Leatherman was irate after hearing this.
"It makes my blood boil that the governor of this state to low-rate this Senate to the degree of misleading the Senate."
Meanwhile, there was a new twist to the debate. The deadline may not be as imminent as once thought - at least according to Beaufort County Senator Tom Davis.
"This whole 45-day thing... This expiring on Friday at Midnight thing for us to apply for the money is completely and utterly bogus."
Senator Davis interprets the deadline will only apply to the State Legislature and the so-called Clyburn Amendment and not to Governor Sanford.
He says the Governor has two years to apply for the money.
That puzzles Senator Gerald Malloy - who wants an explanation.
"Why do they want to take two years to make such a decision? I don't think that's the case."
One thing that's clear: Lawmakers and the Governor are still deadlocked on how to stimuate South Carolina's economy.
Tell us what you think about this whole stimulus controversy. Leave your thoughts below.
