Sanford’s Rejection Of Stimulus Funds Could Cost 7,500 Teachers Their Jobs
Sanford’s Rejection Of Stimulus Funds Could Cost 7,500 Teachers Their Jobs
Last month, eighth grader Ty’Sheoma Bethea was an honored guest of President Obama when he made his address to a joint session of Congress. Bethea had written a letter to Gov. Mark Sanford (R) asking him to repair her school, JV Martin Jr High School in Dillon, SC, which was falling apart. “I felt that our school was in bad condition,” she said. “After the stimulus bill was passed I hoped we could get some of the money to rebuild the school.”
However, Sanford continues to stand in the way of Bethea’s hopes. Yesterday, in what Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) deemed “100 percent political posturing,” Sanford announced he would seek to pay down the state’s debt by redirecting $700 million of the state’s stimulus money meant for school funding and public safety:
– 81.8% must be used to backfill education funding to maintain current funding levels and prevent school districts from laying off teachers and increasing class sizes. Any money that remains can be used for school modernization or construction.
– 18.2% is discretionary funds provided to the governor which can be used for “public safety or other government services.”
John Cooley, deputy superintendent for finance and operations at the South Carolina Department of Education, explained that the stimulus funds would help fill a 15 percent budget cut already inflicted on the school system. Without those funds, Cooley estimated that up 7,500 teachers (15 percent of the state’s 50,000 teachers) could be negatively impacted. But he cautioned, “I’m not going to sit here and tell you that we’ve reduced 7,500 teachers” or that all 7,500 will lose their jobs.
Regardless, Cooley warned that Sanford’s cuts will make an already dire situation much worse:
It’s going to create a significant problem for us if that was to happen. I know that our general assembly — the House of Representatives completed their work on the appropriation bill for 2010 and they have used that money and appropriated it to education to help fill in the cuts that we’ve taken. If those funds are not permitted to be used that way, it will create a significant problem for the education budget in South Carolina.
Ironically, Sanford cited his “duty” to “future generations of South Carolinians” in explaining his slashing of funding for the state’s school system, in a letter to the legislature. And in a press conference yesterday, he insisted he was acting with young people’s best interests at heart:
Of course we’d like to spend unlimited amounts of money on education or for that matter healthcare or law enforcement. but you have to do it within the confines of that which is sustainable. So the idea of digging a $1.2 billion hole whose costs ultimately will be born by school-aged kids to me is not in their best interest.
As Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said yesterday, “Paying off the debt does nothing for the schoolteacher who is losing a job or the probation officer who is being laid off.” Even with news yesterday that South Carolina now has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, at 10.4 percent — and the fastest growing rate anywhere — Sanford is apparently willing to offer his citizens nothing but his prayers.
But this extra $700 million -- there's so many needs in so many areas. And of course the general assembly is building a budget for next year using stimulus money. And golly, if that doesn't happen then we're in a real world of hurt because of all the cuts that are going on. And it isn't going to get any better. It's not like the economy's going to turn around in the next year. Not in this state anyway.
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Oh, glorious — another crackpot Winger whose tone deafness to the plight of South Carolinians (second highest unemployment rate) will ensure that a Democrat will be elected governor of that VERY, VERY RED state. It’s like they are doing it on purpose.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:01 pmObviously, Sanford isn’t satisfied with SC having the second-highest unemployment rate in the country — he wants to be able to shout “We’re #1!!”
Idiot.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:04 pm“If we don’t keep’em dumb by cuttin’ school funds, they’re just gonna get all uppity, and then what will we do?”
March 12th, 2009 at 3:05 pmNow this is generational theft.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:06 pmThat’s like giving your babysitter $20 so she can buy ice cream for the kids, and she uses it to put gas in her car.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:07 pm.
Dear Gov. Mark Sanford (R),
How could you be proud of denying children opportunities for an education? What kind of person stands proud in his ability to undercut children and education?
.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:07 pmFurther proof that republicans don’t give a crap for post-born kids, or any of the state’s residents.
Based on the terms of the stimulus, can he actually do this?
March 12th, 2009 at 3:08 pm“So the idea of digging a $1.2 billion hole whose costs ultimately will be born by school-aged kids to me is not in their best interest.”
But it is in their best interest to have them attend crumbling schools with outdated textbooks and underpaid teachers – if they can find any still left in the state.
And this *sshole thinks America will elect him president? These f***ers are delusional.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:12 pmmark sanford,
taking the box to a place
it’s never been before.
**
March 12th, 2009 at 3:12 pmBy far the biggest WANKER of all the r govs
OT: crammer said will be on TDS just a bit ago on cnbs should be good…..
March 12th, 2009 at 3:12 pmWTF? How is it even an option for this douchebag to take money the federal gov’t appropriated for one purpose and use it for another?
If he isn’t going to use the money as intended, just take it from him, his constituents obviously don’t need the help that bad.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:13 pmNew reality TV show:
Sanford & Sins
March 12th, 2009 at 3:14 pmWell, this will sure help SC kids be well-prepared to compete in the global job market. Actually, it’s good for students in other states – they certainly don’t need to worry about competition from SC for high-paying jobs of the future.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:16 pmPissedOffVVeteran,
Cremer on TDS? WOW! I’m going out to get popcorn as we speak.
By the way, I’m thinking this weeks Daily Shows just may be the best ever. Smackdowns, rants & the best economic analysis on TV.
Something’s drastically wrong when the best political & economic news available is on a COMEDY SHOW.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:18 pmZimzone Says:
When I am an old man, and I look back on the nightmare known as the “Bush years”, at least I will fondly remember the integrity and bravery demonstrated by Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert. These men are true patriots, and funny as hell to boot.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:19 pmI remember when, during the election, this dufus sat stone silence when asked I believe what John McCain’s economic policy was. Nada.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:20 pmParty before people
Ambition before duty
Appearance over substance
Welcome to the new Republican Party
March 12th, 2009 at 3:22 pmI love it…Just wait for 2010…the end of the Republican party.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:25 pmYglesias writes (…) “Sanford’s just out to sea on this.”
– - It’s tough to do, but Sanford makes Sarah Palin look brilliant.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:26 pmthis is absolutely criminal. i hope that everyone in sc sees what this guy is doing.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:27 pmIn that case screw it, might as well give up now hunker down till SC totally collapses into a 3rd world country.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:27 pm10.1% unemployment in South Carolina…Amazing.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:32 pmI’m waiting for Sanford to tell us how the debt SC already has is Obama’s fault.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:32 pmSome words of wisdom for Governor Sanford…
We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.
-George Bernard Shaw
Taking future educational funding from our children to fix a mismanaged budget isn’t stupid…it’s CRIMINAL!
March 12th, 2009 at 3:38 pmThat’s like giving your babysitter $20 so she can buy ice cream for the kids, and she uses it to put gas in her car.
Actually, it’s more like the babysitter uses the $20 to pay off her Visa bill. In other words, no spending, no stimulus, just repaying previous spending.
This is just about the most mindless thing that I have ever heard. The republicans p*ss and moan about how the Stimulus bill really isn’t stimulative and then one of their fair-haired boys sets out to prove it by taking money intended to cultivate employment and education and he effectively buries it in a tin can in his back yard. Now that’s really stimulative, isn’t it?
March 12th, 2009 at 3:39 pmEducation drives countries like Japan, which is why they are so technologically advanced.
Education is the key to the US regaining its position as a world leader.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:42 pmMeanwhile, the Red Repukes in North Dakota are trying to convince others that placing 40% of the stimulus funds into a ‘rainy day fund’ while they presently have a $1.2 Billion surplus is ‘just good business’.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:42 pmThis is Sanford’s second term as governor of S.C. If there are huge debts, deficits, deteriorating schools, and the second higest unemployment in the nation, it’s all happened on Sanford’s watch!
I hope Team Obama sends Biden down there to knock some sense into this bastid. Barring that, just yank the money back. It’s not being used as intended, and S.C. is already one of America’s welfare states, receiving $1.38 from the fed for every dollar paid.
As Jon Stewart would say, “Fcuk you!”
PEACE
March 12th, 2009 at 3:43 pmWhy does the governor hate American children?
March 12th, 2009 at 3:44 pmDon’t need no readers
March 12th, 2009 at 3:52 pmMight topple what I built here
Cue banjo music
Having lived through six years of this guy so far, I can say without a doubt that he is the worst governor in America. Thank God the Republican-led legislature in this state hates him as bad as we do, or we’d be even more in the crapper down here. He also took time out of his schedule of promoting his “plan” yesterday to say that our South Caroliona’s 10.4% unemployment rate is the result of people from other states moving here. Last month, his Commerce secretary said the rate is high because of failed drug tests.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:52 pmLast month, his Commerce secretary said the rate is high because of failed drug tests.
So it’s all them damn meth addled hillbillies from Tennesee and North Carolina movin in to live off welfare chex? Right.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:58 pmHow is Alabama in debt? I thought states were required to balance their budgets.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:59 pmKeep ‘em dumb and they’ll keep voting Republican.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:08 pmClassy.
Wow, right-wing governor playing the part of Marie Antoinette vis-a-vis his own state.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:11 pmSanford has a point. Even after this economy recovers, we will need laborers to dig ditches and landscape our yards. Future South Carolinans will be a great source of undeducated and cheap labor.
If I lived in South Carolina though, I might be more than a little pissed.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:12 pmHow do states get these lacky morons anyway? I just moved back to TX after a few years in CA. TX has a wingnut and two wingnut senators. I have written them several times and get these stupid justifications for their ignorance, intolerance, and hate. People need to wise up to these fascists who are only out for their party and their cronies. If it has (R) after it’s name, it is hands off. Do not play with the (R)s…they are harmful.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:14 pmHere is a good plan for Stanford to reduce his state’s debt…
PUT PEOPLE TO WORK.
Ya know so that they can generate sales taxes and income taxes and property taxes. All wonderful streams of income.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:37 pmI’m glad I do not live in SC – with that rascist, ignorant, grandstanding governor Sanford. They need to get the tar and feathers ready for Sanford! This man is Godless! How can he offer folks his prayers – he can’t possibly believe in God!
March 12th, 2009 at 4:37 pmAnd the South will fall again.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:37 pmSo he’s obviously saying that Obama rigged the election, disenfranchised huge blocks of the electorate, suppressed the press and taken over the armed forces and police before he stole the election. Why yes, the comparisons are…Insane! This is so far Around the bend you can’t even see the Curve! How could a majority of the good people of South Carolina be So Nuts as to elect this lucking foozer???
March 12th, 2009 at 4:56 pmSC State Motto – Thank God for Mississippi.
SC is known for poor roads, poor people, and poor education. The perfect trifecta.
And for bailout money – what about the threat of sea level rising on the lowcountry cities ? (Sanford is from the coast).
March 12th, 2009 at 5:03 pmOur Sh#t for brains governor in TX, Rick Good Hair Perry, just announced he is rejecting the 550 million for unemployment.
March 12th, 2009 at 5:20 pmHas anyone told these bozos there’s only one choice with these funds? They can take all of them and use them as specified. Or they take none. Take it or leave it.
March 12th, 2009 at 6:01 pmWhy are the people of SC not out on the streets, giving this idiot the hell he deserves?
March 12th, 2009 at 6:06 pmThe legislature in Mississippi recently overrode Governor Barbour’s decision to do the same thing. If the people can rally their legislators in South Carolina, New Orleans, and Texas, then the governor’s political ploy will backfire, and as one poster put it, will ensure a democrat wins the next gubernatorial contest in these states. I can’t begin to think that a competent governor would allow one person to go homeless or lose a job that didn’t have to. Even California’s Republican governor is not that out of touch and he’s nearly a billionaire.
March 12th, 2009 at 6:24 pm“How do states get these lacky morons anyway?”
As someone born and raised in Alabama and who worked in Georgia for 1 1/2 years (before I couldn’t take it anymore), I can tell you why these “states get these lacky morons”.
Not all, but many, many people who live in SC, GA, AL, and other southern states are filled with hate and envy of anyone who is not like them. They don’t read, don’t know anyone from other countries (except a few people from Mexico or South America), have a great fear of “the other”, are incapable if independent thought, and they defer to what the local minister says. Big on church going but not big on the true meaning of religion.
The newspapers in Alabama are almost devoid of news outside of the state and devoid of news ouside of the country. During a fifteen day stay in B’ham during the height of the invasion and destruction if Iraq when our soldiers were being killed, I could not find a SINGLE article in the two local B’ham newspapers about what was going on in Iraq. Not even a 2 inch filler in the margins.
The single public radio station had about four hours of news and information during a 24 hour period. The rest of the time taken up by canned classical music. But you could get untold hours on AM and FM of rabid hate-filled preaching by so-called ministers of God, country music and sports. And the worst of reich-wing talk radio you can imagine.
I enjoy browsing book stores and spend a lot of money purchasing books. The B’ham telephone directory listed several books stores scattered around the metro area which would normally make me estatic. The only major chain store was located inside of a building belonging to the University of Alabama and was closed because school was out for the holidays. The other regular book store was located about thirty miles outside of B’ham and was difficult to get to. ALL of the other book stores sold ONLY religious books and items (I called them). This, in a city that has a large medical center and several colleges universities.
On the days I visited the local branch of the library I was the ONLY person there other that the workers.
My observation are not of a onetime visit since my relatives are there. And I know that my opinion of B’ham and AL might be biased. BUT, I do know that there is a general lack of interest in learning, reading, hearing other opinions, meeting people of a different race/culture/religion that exists in the people.
So that is why people like Sanford keep getting elected. They appeal to folks who are indifferent to learning, reading, hearing other opinions, meeting people of a different race/culture/religion that exists in the people. They appeal to folks who hate because that is what they are taught and are comfortable living with.
March 12th, 2009 at 6:29 pm“Sanford’s rejection of Stimulus Funds Could Cost 7,500 Teachers Their Jobs.” Like he could give a sh#t. They’re probably union members, so, why should he care? DOOCH NOZZLE!!
March 12th, 2009 at 6:32 pmnanlichi says: Even after this economy recovers, we will need laborers to dig ditches and landscape our yards. Future South Carolinans will be a great source of undeducated and cheap labor
Ha! South Carolinians will be sneaking across the border taking jobs away from Mexicans.
March 12th, 2009 at 6:38 pmafter this sanford is gonna have a long glorious carrer as a wal-mart greeter or sayin would you like fryed with that cause anyone that would vote for this idiot is an idiot in there own rite..then again this is south carolina
By the way my gov jackasss jindal wants to do the same thing HA the legislature so far said are you insane
March 12th, 2009 at 6:46 pmWhat a total shame.
Self-interest before the education of thousands of children.
Well, all he’s doing is creating future democrats, so maybe there is a silver lining. Think they’re going to grow up thanking him?
March 12th, 2009 at 7:11 pmHe probably wants to to teach himself, that’s what it is
March 12th, 2009 at 7:23 pmThis ignorant, stupid RepubliCon (Mark “Backward Man” Sanford) is trying to maintain his voter base by keeping South Carolina ignorant and stupid.
March 12th, 2009 at 7:52 pmRepublicans who put political ambition & a floundering party above the dire needs of their constituents must be turfed out- quickly. Sanford is a very sick puppy.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:07 pmParty first, F _ _ K the people in their state! True, red GOP party!
March 12th, 2009 at 9:28 pmwell, we all know right-wing nuts don’t like public education because, among many other things, you can’t shove religion down kids’ throats in public schools, and you can’t teach hatred of gays… so maybe this idiot simply wants all teachers in SC public schools fired and so do away with public education in SC!! ;)
March 12th, 2009 at 9:36 pmAnyone else ever wonder how this wing nuts got elected, except for the fact that they had RICH WHITE support.
The need to do the same thing to this clown that they did to Blago, IMPEACH his behind.
March 13th, 2009 at 12:15 pmNow Sanford’s got his beach house on the market for $3.5 million.
March 14th, 2009 at 9:24 amSandford needs to get over this hostility he has with his own party in the legislature not to mention the democrats. Ever since they would not allow private schools to be exempted from paying taxes, he has been in an uproar. He will stop at no means to get what he wants. He is like a typical brat. A state that is ranked 49th in the country on education, what else could go wrong.
March 19th, 2009 at 9:30 am