FORT MILL, S.C. -- Gov. Mark Sanford walked into the Fort Mill Country Club with his ever-present Styrofoam financial charts under his arm.

"This will be a little reading test for you," Sanford said to laughs as he launched into an explanation of his controversial stance on federal stimulus money.

The governor quickly got to his reason for being in Fort Mill in front of the rotary club.

"I'm taking time this week to venture out and lay out our case for why I think that this makes a lot of sense," he said.

Sanford has said for weeks that he will not request $700 million in stimulus money if it's not used to pay down state debt.

He repeatedly stressed that the money in dispute is only 10 percent of the massive $8 billion windfall heading to the state. The governor said 90 percent of the stimulus money will be spent, but saving 10 percent is just being smart.

"If you won the lottery tomorrow, would you be viewed as being prudent if you set aside some money for a rainy day?" he asked the crowd over lunch.

Outside, a small handful of protesters carried signs accusing Sanford of taking money from education. One of them, Patricia Celley, has a student at Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill.

"How dare you keep these funds from helping my child's education," she said. "We need these funds desperately. We are going to have to pay them back anyway. It's not right that our children don't get some benefit from them."

Inside, Sanford fielded tough questions from parents, educators and business leaders. Many agreed with the need to pay off debt, but they were worried about the immense strain on local school budgets next year.

They questioned Sanford repeatedly about his decision to keep that $700 million from schools.

"I need better mathematics from any plan that tells me not to spend this money on education," said one woman in the audience.

Sanford said just spending more and more on education, or any program, is not the right fix. He argued that reforming government and making tough choices now when times are tough will help the state later.

"What if the economy doesn't recover so quickly?" he said. "I think putting some of this money aside would put us in a stronger financial situation in the future."

Lawmakers in Columbia plan to add $350 million of the stimulus money into the budget anyway, hoping to get Sanford to compromise. The governor insists he already has.

Lawmakers Aim To Force S.C. Gov To Take Fed Cash

Legislation is being drafted that's intended to force South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford to apply for $350 million in federal stimulus money.

State Sen. Vincent Sheheen said Wednesday he'll introduce a resolution next week that requires the Republican governor to use all federal stimulus money intended to help the state's schools.

The Camden Democrat said he's gathering co-sponsors for the legislation and hopes to have it on Sanford's desk before the end of May. Sheheen is running for governor.

His measure could set up a court fight over the money. Sanford wants the money used on state debt.

Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer says legislators should work with the governor rather than use that approach.