high profile example of repugs' grandstanding hurting the people they are supposed to help

SC student Ty’Sheoma Bethea’s hopes dashed by Sanford’s decision to reject $500m in education funds.

Yesterday, ThinkProgress reported that Gov. Mark Sanford’s (R-SC) decision to reject $700 million of stimulus funds could result in the firing of up to 7,500 teachers across the state, more than $500 million of which was slated to fill in the massive education budget deficit. Last night, CNN’s Jessica Yellin visited Ty’Sheoma Bethea, the South Carolina student who pleaded with Congress to save her crumbling school. Sanford’s decision, Yellin pointed out, means Bethea’s school will remain in disrepair.

Pete Pillow, spokesman for the state’s education department told ThinkProgress yesterday that if Sanford’s decision holds up, “then we’re in a real world of hurt because of all the cuts that are going on. And it isn’t going to get any better. It’s not like the economy’s going to turn around in the next year. Not in this state anyway.”

(Think Progress)