(Columbia) Feb. 24, 2004 - Governor Mark Sanford made a rare appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday trying to rebuild support for his plans to restructure state government.

Sanford's appearance before the committee was a rare move. It was the first time the governor appeared before a legislative committee debating one of his agenda items.

The governor spent about an hour Tuesday fielding questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee consists of about half the Senate's 46 members. He emerged saying it was in the Senate's hands.

Sanford said restructuring would lead to more innovation in government, save money and make government more efficient, "Can you imagine the Panthers being effective if everyone was playing quarterback, it just wouldn't work in terms of moving up the field, and it's for that reason that I ask ya'll to help us to a little bit better huddle as an executive branch."

Sanford's roadmap involves eliminating all but four of the nine current elected statewide offices and moving agency responsibilities around. Much of the proposal contained in two bills reflects what Sanford's government efficiency panel recommended last fall.

Committee chairman Glenn McConnell says the governor is concerned his restructuring plan is gaining opponents.

Sanford's $5.1 billion budget proposal includes his plans for government restructuring, which would reduce the number of state agencies and consolidate some of their functions. Read budget highlights (Adobe required). Read full budget (Adobe required).

The plan would reduce the number of state agencies from 87 to 72. Governor Sanford says the restructuring plan is expected to save $26 million. Sanford says his proposal would save an additional $82 million by making state government operate more efficiently.

updated 8:51am by Chris Rees with AP