Sanford to Refuse Stimulus Funds - Example for Rendell

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has announced he will reject much of the federal stimulus dollars coming to his state.  Like Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, he recognizes that the stimulus imposes long-term cost burdens on the state, with short-term funding.  Unlike Governor Rendell, he cares.

Instead, Sanford has asked for a waiver, in order to use the funds to pay off state debt and unfunded liability.

We know that Pennsylvania has a great deal of debt and enormous unfunded liabilities as well.  Governor Rendell would be wise to reject the stimulus, or use to pay off our liabilities, rather than using the funding to increase spending and reward political allies.