Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) took a bold step yesterday by announcing that he would NOT be taking Stimulus money with strings attached. Part of the money being doled out to the states is in the form of mandates for social programs such as unemployment benefits for part-time workers. While this may seem like a good idea in the short-term, most states do not have the ability to pay for these programs once the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009 (ARRA) funding runs dry. Click here to get the details on Sanford's rejection.

AFP-Maryland fully supports Gov. Sanford's move and hopes that this is a sign of things to come around the country. We urge Gov. O'Malley to do the same here in Maryland. The state does not have the budget structure in place to fund programs with strings attached. Maryland is slated to receive $3.75 billion over the next 18 months in Stimulus money. Some of the programs that come with accepting that money will be here long after the money runs out. Marylanders will be stuck with the bill and no way to pay for it. We know how the crowd in Annapolis likes to handle budget shortfalls...tax income, tax sales, tax anything!

Stay tuned, as you will be hearing more from AFP-Maryland on this issue...