Governor Brings Pigs To Statehouse; Lawmakers Unamused

Gov. Mark Sanford carried two piglets under his arms to the House chamber today to protest fast action by lawmakers to override his budget vetoes.

Sanford said it's a lighthearted way to prove his point about what he calls pork in the $5.5 billion spending plan.

"It's illegal in South Carolina to run a deficit and if we've got cold, hard cash available to take care of it, I think we have a constitutional requirement to pay it off rather than pay for pork projects around the state," Sanford said.

The Republican-controlled House voted to override all but one of his 106 budget vetoes in short order Wednesday afternoon.

The Republican governor stood at the House doors with pig feces on his shoes and coat and laughed about it. The piglets, named Pork and Barrel, spent some time on the floor outside the House chamber sniffing the carpeting.

Inside the House chamber, representatives were outraged.

House Speaker David Wilkins, of Greenville, said he's embarrassed for Sanford.

"You know, I have great respect for Gov. Sanford, but I think it's important that he represents all of South Carolinians to the entire world, and these type of antics, I think, are below the dignity of the governor's office," Wilkins said.

Wilkins said he was proud of the budget and disappointed that the governor made fun of the House, which already had approved most of Sanford's agenda, unlike the Senate.

"I think it's humorous, and I also think its sad that the governor went to this length to dramatize a point, at this time in our legistlative year," Rep. Glenn Hamilton said.

Lawmakers adjourned shortly after Sanford showed up.

Previous Stories:

• May 27, 2004: House Overrides All But One Of Governor's Budget Vetoes
• May 26, 2004: Sanford Vetoes Dozens Of Budget Items
• May 20, 2004: Proposed State Budget Goes To Governor's Desk