Pro-Sanford Organization Sues Budget & Control Board

ONGOING LEGISLATIVE-EXECUTIVE SOAP OPERA HEADED TO COURT

FITSNews - August 21, 2007 - A group supportive of Gov. Mark Sanford’s agenda has filed a lawsuit against the S.C. Budget & Control Board this evening, effectively arguing that South Carolina’s General Assembly has overstepped its bounds in exercising influence on the board. All five board members - including Gov. Sanford himself - are named as defendants. The group, “Change SC Now,” is apparently run by Jasper County GOP Chairman Duane Swygert.

Wow … talk about taking your objections to the next level. Apparently, the case will center on whether or not the legislature had the right to elect one of its own (i.e. the “Sock Puppet” Converse Chellis) to fill the seat vacated on the board by Thomas Ravenel. Sources tell FITSNews the case is already on a fast track to the S.C. Supreme Court.

Change SC Now was created three years ago during another Legislative-Executive fight over the Life Sciences Bill, a piece of Christmas Tree legislation that the governor insisted was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in the governor’s favor.

Developing …

Comments

By Tuscarora on August 21st, 2007 at 11:39 pm

Technically incorrect:

The governor argued that the bill was unconstitutional.

The General Assembly argued that the bill was constitutional.

The attorney general argued that portions were constitutional, others unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court agreed with the attorney general and ruled accordingly. See links below.

SC SUPCO Opinion: http://www.scattorneygeneral.com/newsroom/pdf/bobtailing.pdf

AG Statement: http://www.scattorneygeneral.com/newsroom/pdf/bobtailing_statement.pdf