At the heart of the governor's proposal is a major expansion of executive authority, primarily by giving his office the power to appoint most of the constitutional officers who are now elected. The expansion of the governor's Cabinet is a logical extension of the restructuring reforms undertaken by former Gov. Carroll Campbell in the early 1990s.

Although Gov. Campbell's restructuring effort won legislative approval, it still left most of state government outside of the governor's authority. Far too many state agencies remain under the control of appointed boards and commissions rather than the elected chief executive. Consequently, there continues to be duplication, inefficiency and a lack of accountability. Gov. Sanford's plan will eliminate many of the existing shortcomings.

In North Augusta last week, the governor restated his position that the superintendent of education, the secretary of agriculture, the adjutant general and the secretary of state should be appointed by the governor, and placed within his Cabinet.

Additionally, the lieutenant governor would run on the governor's ticket, instead of as a separate ballot choice. The pair would share an agenda that the lieutenant governor would carry out should the governor die or be incapacitated.

Meanwhile, the governor would consolidate the health and human services agencies to simplify health-care access and service and to reduce the duplication that now exists among the eight agencies that now provide those services. Cutting administrative overhead should save the state some $26 million the first year.

A new Cabinet-level agency, the Department of Administration, would provide the governor more control over the day-to-day operations of state government. It would assume responsibility for some of the programs now under the state Budget and Control Board, a body unique in South Carolina and an outgrowth of the weak executive system.

Gov. Sanford makes the case that South Carolina spends 130 percent of the national average on the cost of government. His restructuring plan would streamline operations, eliminate administrative excess and bring the cost of government down.

He cites the Division of Motor Vehicles as "a perfect example of how fixing the structure not only leads to a better product and better service but also leads to savings for the taxpayer." The orphan DMV was shuffled among various state departments until it was placed under the governor's control in mid-2003. Since then, waiting times have been reduced and other initiatives, such as online access and Saturday office hours, have improved customer service. Meanwhile, DMV is asking for $4 million less in next year's budget, the governor reports.

The idea that the improvements and cost savings achieved at DMV could be generally applied to state government through restructuring shows the potential scope of the governor's reform plan. It deserves the support of every taxpayer.

The proposal for constitutional officers can only be achieved through a statewide referendum, which first requires legislative agreement to put the questions on the ballot. Last session, a similar plan was held up by a few senators who opposed the idea, primarily on behalf of their friends, mainly Republicans, who now hold those offices.

Last session, the House of Representatives approved 14 of 16 bills sought by Gov. Sanford, but only three were approved by the Senate. Planned changes in the Senate rules should improve the governor's prospects in that chamber, which he describes as "the graveyard of many of my ideas."

By unveiling his agenda in advance of the November election, Gov. Sanford has made his reform plan a campaign issue. Voters should scrutinize the views of the candidates to see who supports the governor's initiatives. As we saw in the Senate last year, party labels don't necessarily apply.

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