Lawmakers in South Carolina are trying to keep junk food out of the governor's mansion. State senators inserted a clause in the 2013-14 budget plan that would bar Gov. Nikki Haley's office from buying junk food with public money, whether for employee treats or entertaining. The move was a response to state efforts to fight obesity by limiting what people can buy with food stamps, efforts that need federal approval before being implemented.
Democratic Sen. Darrell Jackson of Columbia pushed for the provision. He says it's only fair for Haley to implement with her staff the healthy purchasing that she's promoting for poor people. Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey says Jackson is playing political games with a serious health epidemic. (More South Carolina stories.)