Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said South Carolina’s governor should “energetically” support President Obama’s stimulus plan in light of the state’s dismal employment numbers.
Gov. Mark Sanford has been a high-profile opponent of the jobs plan, claiming it will only grow the nation’s deficit. But Riley said Tuesday that, in light of the state’s unemployement rate nearing 10 percent, Sanford’s first priority should be in securing pay checks for South Carolinians.
“The governor needs to feel responsible for the economic health of his state and the people of his state,” Riley said.
The White House says the stimulus will create 53,000 jobs in South Carolina, and increase tax cuts, tuition tax credits, and unemployment benefits.
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