COLUMBIA - Despite two weeks of lobbying by Gov. Mark Sanford and his supporters, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday decided to return a state government restructuring bill back to a subcommittee for more work.
That action came after the full committee voted 11-7 on an amendment to leave the secretary of state as an elected office.
"In light of the committee's action, it's apparent we've not made headway," said Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens. The full committee did not take up a second restructuring bill that would shift the responsibilities of some state agencies.
Two weeks ago, the committee had agreed to eliminate elections for the education superintendent but refused to do away with elections for the lieutenant governor, adjutant general and agriculture commissioner.
Sanford wanted a referendum in November to decide if five of the state's nine constitutional offices should be appointed rather than elected. If approved, voters would elect a governor and lieutenant governor on a joint-party ticket, the attorney general and the treasurer. Elections for the adjutant general, education superintendent, comptroller general, secretary of state and agriculture commissioner would be eliminated.
Sanford sent an e-mail this weekend to campaign supporters asking them to lobby legislators to get the restructuring bills out of committee.
The governor will continue to push to allow voters to decide on the style of government, said Sanford spokesman Will Folks.
"Whether you're - for whatever reason - afraid of change or have a particular disagreement on how to get there, the least we could do is give the voters a chance to have their voices heard," Folks said.
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