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State selling sponsorships a bit much

The state budget and a shortage of revenue are again going to be tops on the agenda when state lawmakers return to Columbia. Against that backdrop, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has given legislators another idea for raising money.

"Raising" may be the operative word.

As in "raising" signs of corporate sponsorship. And "raising" lots of eyebrows in the process.

First, let's commend Bauer for thinking out of the box when it comes to looking for ways to raise money. Secondly, let's hope his idea dies a quiet death.

Bauer is suggesting that South Carolina state government follow the lead of professional sports teams and universities in selling the names of public buildings, roads and bridges.

He cites the University of South Carolina, which struck a deal with Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Co. for $5.5 million over five years to name its basketball arena the Colonial Center. You'll remember that it was formerly the Carolina Center.

And the Associated Press reports that other states are looking into similar plans. Illinois' governor has said his state is considering using corporate sponsorship of state programs, events, facilities and initiatives to raise money. And a similar strategy has been used in New York and discussed in Indiana.

Corporate sponsorship is all well and good, to a point. But putting up for sale to the highest bidder the names of bridges, buildings and roads seems to be going too far.

Again from the AP: Gary Rusking, who heads an Oregon-based non-profit organization known as Commercial Alert, called the idea "a slap in the face."

And he offers a revealing, if somewhat silly (maybe not), example of where it could lead: "It's within the scope of (Bauer's) idea to name the Capitol after Preparation H. And why not hang a 100-foot Coke bottle in front of the Capitol building? It's ugly when your state is up for sale."

As much as naming buildings, bridges and roads for politicians can be controversial, doing so is one way to honor those who have served with distinction in our government. It should not be forsaken to put the names of facilities paid for with public dollars up for sale.

Bauer contends taxpayers don't care about that. They would rather see money coming in from such sponsorships than foot the bill themselves. We won't dispute that there could be such sentiment. After all, there's always some disagreement about the deserving nature of one politician over another when it comes to doling out honors.

But at least for now, we're hoping that the names of landmarks from state office buildings to bridges and roads will remain outside the arena of corporate sponsorship.

As for Bauer, he says, "There are a ton of opportunities to save taxpayers money and provide goods and services more efficiently." We encourage him to look at other opportunities.