COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has sent a letter to Washington requesting federal stimulus cash but will not back down on rejecting $700 million if it isn't used to repay state debt.
Sanford held a news conference Friday to underscore his position against using the smaller portion of the $2.8 billion in stimulus cash intended for the state.
The paperwork filing allows the state to seek that $700 million through September 2010.
There had been a midnight deadline for requesting the money.
The governor's critics say that 3,000 or more teachers will lose jobs without the $700 million, which would be used over two years.
Sanford says school administrators writing local budgets shouldn't expect to see the money.
Letter to Senator Orszag 4-3-2009
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