COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
The City of Columbia is trying to promote itself not only as famously hot, but a "surprisingly cool" place for the arts.
However, says Mayor Steve Benjamin, it doesn't help to have Gov. Nikki Haley chop almost $3.5 million in funding for the state Arts Commission, which effectively shuts down that agency.
Benjamin says arts lead to jobs.
"In the world in which we live in now, where companies can make a decision to land wherever they want -- they can be in Mumbai, Columbia or Mexico City -- the reality is the quality of life is a major issue that helps them determine where they're going to be," Benjamin said.
Haley is also taking flak for other vetoes too. Much of it is aimed at her veto of more than $450,000 in funding for rape crisis centers.
Richland County Sen. Joel Lourie says constituents he's heard from all disagree with the veto.
"I can't think of a better way to help prevent domestic violence and sexual assault than to make sure these rape crisis centers are active and open," Lourie said.
House members will be back Tuesday and the Senate returns on Wednesday to consider Haley's 81 vetoes.
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