Pork

CAGW has named the South Carolina legislature Porkers of the Month for overriding almost every one of Governor Mark Sanford’s (Republican) 106 budget vetoes of wasteful, pork-barrel spending. After Gov. Sanford vetoed almost $36 million of a $5.5 billion fiscal 2005 budget, the Republican-controlled legislature breezed through 105 overrides in the House and 99 overrides in the Senate with little or no debate.

Gov. Sanford responded by walking into the House chamber carrying two pigs, named “Pork” and “Barrel,”
infuriating lawmakers. Some of the 106 items vetoed by Gov. Sanford included $380,000 for a stadium expansion to accommodate a Palmetto Bowl Football Game and $250,000 for the Freedom Weekend Aloft balloon festival.

For placing higher importance on pork projects than the
state’s tax and deficit burdens, CAGW names the South Carolina legislature its Porker of the Month for June 2004.

I wrote about Gov. Sanford’s stunt last month and was the one who nominated the SC legislature for this award. I’m so glad to see they’re getting the recognition they deserve.