For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 09, 2009
No Time for Politics
AFSCME Calls on Gov. Sanford to Apply for Law Enforcement Funds
Washington, D.C. - The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, representing over 100,000 public safety personnel across the nation, called on South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford to promptly solicit and utilize all funds available to the state for law enforcement under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“In this time of crisis the American people need their elected officials working constructively to solve the dramatic problems ravaging our economy, stealing our jobs and homes, threatening our communities and leaving our families struggling to survive. Now, more than ever, South Carolina needs real leadership,” said James Howell, Assistant Director of AFSCME Law Enforcement. “South Carolina desperately needs these federal funds to ensure that law enforcement personnel can be hired and its communities protected. Now isn’t the time for politics. Governor Sanford should apply for and accept the money that South Carolina needs for its communities and for public safety.”
The historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in February to jumpstart our economy, put Americans back to work, and help states, counties and cities provide the vital services that the public relies on in times of crisis. The recovery act included key funds for the hiring of law enforcement personnel and for improving public safety. Some Republican governors, including South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, have threatened to refuse funds for their states.
“It’s time for Governor Sanford to be a part of the solution to South Carolina’s problems. Now isn’t the time for politics,” said Howell. “We need all of their elected officials to rise to the occasion with creativity, hard work, compromise and a willingness to make the difficult decisions to protect our communities, put our nation back on track and our people back to work.”
