When the South Carolina General Assembly narrowly spat out a bloated budget in June, they included more than $5.3 million for security at the Statehouse complex. Security from what?

Well, given the very public warfare between the legislature and Gov. Mark Sanford, they probably want some extra defense in case the governor sets up a blockade or starts launching missiles or something.

And apparently, Sanford hasn’t taken too kindly to the expenditure, and reportedly joked that “he wished the complex were the target of a terrorist attack.”

The Republican governor says the money could be better spent combating violent crime in South Carolina, a rate Sanford says ranks among the nation’s highest. Sanford says he doesn’t see the need to spend the money on the Statehouse when there’s been no terrorist attack on a state government complex.

Last week, state officials announced new security checkpoints at entrances to the garage under the Statehouse complex. Employees who park there will need a special transmitter to enter.

State Law Enforcement Chief Robert Stewart says the measures will protect employees from violent crimes because people who don’t belong won’t get in. [AP]

Sounds like somebody’s a little jealous that he can’t appropriate his own combat resources. But then again, he can mobilize the National Guard, so the legislature kind of HAS TO play defense.