House Overrides All But One Of Governor's Budget Vetoes

A fuming Gov. Mark Sanford accused Republican leaders of trying to embarrass him as watched the House swiftly override his stack of budget vetoes Wednesday.

In about two hours, the House managed to override all but one of Sanford's 106 vetoes with little or no debate.

Sanford's spokesman Will Folks said it's completely disrespectful of the time and effort the governor put into it.

House Speaker David Wilkins and House Ways and Means Chairman Bobby Harrell, both Republicans, defended their version of the budget against the governor's vetoes.

That included changes in how the state might spend $90 million expected from tougher tax law enforcement.

Sanford said he questioned whether it was election-year politics driving lawmakers to rely too much on one-time money or funds that may not materialize.

Folks said it's clearly an effort by leaders in the House, like Harrell, to embarrass the governor.

Harrell said it was not personal. He said he respects the governor's vetoes and would hope that the governor would respect legislators' right to deal with vetoes.

The state Senate will take up the list of vetoes next.

Previous Stories:

• May 26, 2004: Sanford Vetoes Dozens Of Budget Items
• May 17, 2004: Sanford Threatens Veto Over State Budget