S.C. residents should have their say

S.C. state senators should reverse the decisions made by the Senate Judiciary Committee and let residents vote on restructuring state government.

Gov. Mark Sanford and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell have authored a restructuring plan that would increase the efficiency and the accountability of state government. But senators on the committee recently gutted several needed provisions from the bill ...

This was a foolish move to preserve the inefficient status quo of state government and to save positions for which politicians can run ...

Allowing the governor to appoint these officers would create a more accountable system. It would give the governor the authority needed to do what residents already expect him to do.

But South Carolina has always had a weak executive branch, and some state senators can't stand the thought of giving any more authority to the governor's office.

They also don't want to reduce the number of jobs available to politicians.

It's a myopic viewpoint that will hold this state back from the progress it could be making. The rest of the Senate should demand reconsideration of the restructuring bill. And voters should demand the right to vote on the proposals.