No prisons? No work houses?

Wow- Congressman Clyburn does an end-run around the governor of South Carolina. And Senator DeMint says the Palmetto State- with an unemployment rate pushing 10%- will benefit most from a bunch of tax cuts for the wealthy:

Gov. Mark Sanford has stated his opposition to the federal stimulus package for weeks but has not said whether he would seek the federal money if the bill passed. South Carolina could get more than $4 billion for food stamps, school construction and to bolster the state’s sagging revenues under the bill the House passed 244-188.

The $819 billion legislation also includes about $2.1 billion in tax credits of $500 for South Carolina individuals and $1,000 for families in 2009 and 2010.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., the House majority whip, added a provision to the economic stimulus bill that would allow state legislators to bypass governors and seek billions in federal money. While most governors are expected to seek the federal aid, Sanford and Texas Gov. Rick Perry have publicly opposed the legislation and may not accept the money.

Clyburn’s office didn’t return calls requesting comment.

"We would be against that provision," said Joel Sawyer, a spokesman for Sanford. "We think it’s important for governors to be involved in the process."

Sanford has not made a decision about whether to accept stimulus funds, Sawyer said, and opposes the bill because Congress must borrow money to fund it. 

All Republicans -- including Reps. Bob Inglis, Travelers Rest, and Gresham Barrett, Westminster -- voted against the stimulus package. Inglis said before the vote that the bill would create too few jobs while increasing the government’s size. 

The big battle will be in the Senate, where Republicans could delay or defeat the package. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said he will offer a plan Thursday that would repeal the alternative minimum tax, reduce marginal tax rates for individuals and businesses, and make permanent tax cuts set to expire in 2011.

"This plan follows the proven solutions that (Presidents) Reagan and Kennedy used to grow the economy with long-term tax relief," he said. "Washington has already spent hundreds of billions in the last year with nothing to show for it in the economy."