Gov. Mark Sanford said he will not put the state in a protracted legal fight over control of $700 million in federal stimulus money on the same day the governor received a legal setback in federal court.
A federal judge ruled Monday two lawsuits asking the state to determine if Sanford or state lawmakers control the disputed money should be decided by the S.C. Supreme Court. Sanford wanted the lawsuits heard in federal court.
He acknowledged Monday its likely he would lose the case in state court.
"We will not attempt to exercise those appeals," Sanford said. "Whatever decision (the S.C. Supreme Court) makes we will live by."
U.S. District Judge Joe Anderson announced his ruling after a hearing in Columbia. Later Monday, Sanford, in a meeting with reporters, said he would not to file appeals in the legal battle. That means the stimulus fight could be settled before a July 1 deadline to request the money. And legal experts think Sanford will have a tough time winning in state court.
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