THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP has failed our state, by ignoring our worsening problems when addressing them would require difficult decisions. The dereliction has been so deep and consistent that we need to consider radical changes.

Against that backdrop, Nathan Ballentine offers an attractive alternative. Mr. Ballentine, who is challenging House Majority Leader Rick Quinn in the Irmo-based District 71, promises a new approach. He wants to base decisions on the merits of ideas, not which party supports them. He would start with education, which, as he notes, too many people think of as a Democratic issue. He’s committed to listening to educators, better funding our schools and making sure children in poor districts have an equal shot at a decent education.

Except for one thing, endorsing Mr. Ballentine would be an easy choice. That one thing, however, is too significant to overlook.

Two of the biggest problems at the State House are the leadership’s refusal to address complex problems in a comprehensive way, particularly the problems with school funding equity and our tax code, and its refusal to work across party lines. While rank-and-file legislators are to blame for allowing this to happen, it is the leadership — and especially the House leadership — that deserves the most blame, and therefore is in greatest need of changing. Unfortunately, the only member of that leadership team who faces opposition is Mr. Quinn, and he is the one member of the leadership team who is working to address both problems.

Mr. Quinn reached across party lines to form an alliance with Sen. Vincent Sheheen, and together they put together a tax reform bill that addresses many problems with our tax code while guaranteeing that where a child lives will not influence how much money is available to educate her. If not for Mr. Quinn’s involvement, this proposal would not have generated the legislative and public attention it has. More significantly, we fear that if he is not in the House next year, the prospects for such reforms will be greatly reduced.

Mr. Quinn is clearly committed to reform, but he hasn’t done enough to make it happen. He must work harder, pull in more supporters and work more aggressively to overcome, or else find a way around, resistance from other House leaders.

Because of Mr. Quinn’s work on the Quinn-Sheheen plan, he deserves two more years in the House. If he doesn’t make those two years count, it will be time for a change.