Sanford asks to use $700 million in stimulus to pay debts

Of the roughly $2.9 billion South Carolina is due to receive in stimulus funds, Gov. Mark Sanford sees an opportunity to influence the final use of some $700 million of it. And Sanford wants our state to pay down debt and not use it for investment in the state.

The Post and Courier has a thorough write-up about what's happening.

Charleston-area U.S. House Rep. Jim Clyburn is calling the move "yet another political chess move towards the 2012 race."

Update March 12: State lawmakers are looking for ways to circumvent the governor's desires.