RESHAPING GOVERNMENT

Republican Gov. Mark Sanford and key GOP lawmakers are pursuing plans to restructure state government. Here’s the latest on their efforts:

• A Senate subcommittee approved massive government restructuring legislation Tuesday.

• The bill would let voters decide whether to change the state Constitution to eliminate elections for education superintendent, secretary of state, agriculture commissioner, adjutant general and comptroller general.

• The bill also would shift or eliminate some state agencies.

• The subcommittee decided against breaking up the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control.

• One plan would have put DHEC’s health division under a new Department of Health Services, which would include the Mental Health and Disabilities and Special Needs departments.

• The subcommittee approved an amendment Tuesday that requires DHEC to coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services and report annually to the General Assembly on that effort.