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.)