South Carolina's Senate has new rules, but it shouldn't have a new method. Public policy needs the deliberation the Senate is known for. And the voice of the minority should never be snuffed out.

Even though Republicans control the Senate, the House of Representatives and the governor's office, they saw a need to change Senate rules to get legislation passed. It was a top priority, and it happened this week on the opening day of the new session.

The stated goal is to reduce the likelihood of long filibusters. Last year's session showed what a filibuster can do: Clog up the works. On the agenda was a tougher seat belt law. It passed the House and enjoyed support by a vast majority of Senators. But Sen. Glenn McConnell of Charleston, who opposed the bill because he thought it violated individual rights, orchestrated a slim minority that prevented a vote on the bill -- and scores of other bills waiting behind it. That went on for weeks until it was finally set aside.

The new rules reduce the number of votes it takes to sit down a filibustering Senator and force a vote on a bill. Now it takes 26 votes, or 60 percent of the present senators voting. It used to take 28 of the 46 senators to end a filibuster.

Gov. Mark Sanford wanted the change, blaming the old system for stalling his key initiatives.

But senators must remember that the governor wants major changes that -- regardless of the rules -- require a great deal of discussion, second-guessing, homework and due deliberation.

Speed is not the greatest asset when the proposals include tax credits to support unaccountable private schools, a new bureaucracy for charter schools, reorganized state government, new income tax rates and limits for citizens to recoup damages in a court of law.

Those issues, and many more with significant impact on the people and institutions of the state, should not be rushed. Senators must remember that the public does not need two Houses of Representatives.