Gov. Mark Sanford gave lawmakers a mid-session reminder of his restructuring agenda Wednesday using a horse and buggy to underscore how outmoded the state's system of governance remains. Given the intractability of some legislators, he might have used a mule instead.

The governor has made a compelling case for giving the state's chief executive more authority over state government. While some gains were made during the administration of Carroll Campbell, the governor still has authority for less than 20 percent of state government.

Following a comprehensive study of state government by a citizens committee, which included numerous statewide hearings, the governor recommended broad changes, including the appointment by the governor of most constitutional officers who are now elected.

Mr. Sanford has since trimmed that list to include the superintendent of education, secretary of agriculture, secretary of state and adjutant general. He would have the lieutenant governor run on a ticket with the governor. Those changes would require a vote of the people, and the Legislature first has to authorize a statewide referendum.

In addition, he has sought broad restructuring of health agencies as part of his Cabinet and the creation of a Department of Administration. Much of state government continues to operate under the oversight of legislatively appointed boards and commissions, and the Budget and Control Board, of which the governor is one of five members.

As House Speaker David Wilkins observed in response to the governor's press conference, that body has made advances on the governor's agenda since the current session got underway. He cited passage of legislation for constitutional officers restructuring, income tax reduction, tort reform and charter schools.

Rep. Wilkins tersely urged the governor "to roll up his sleeves and work diligently with the Senate to pass these important legislative initiatives already passed by the House."

The governor is attempting to do just that by drawing public attention to the status of restructuring and urging legislators to accomplish more. Mr. Sanford's style may not be as collegial as that of his predecessors, but he knows how to make a point.

South Carolina has been a legislatively dominated state since passage of the 1895 constitution, and the structure of government has not changed sufficiently in response to changing times. State government would be more accountable and efficient if the governor had the responsibility to actually serve as chief executive. Unfortunately, the governor is hamstrung by a cumbersome system that diffuses authority and creates unnecessary expense to the taxpayers.

While there have been legislative reform initiatives this year, Mr. Sanford doesn't believe they go far enough. For example, the House approved a bill that would have a referendum affecting only two constitutional officers. And the House and Senate bills to create a Department of Administration still leave much authority in the hands of the state Budget and Control Board. The governor's office cites a health care restructuring bill in the Senate that doesn't include two essential agencies: the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs and the public health component of the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Mr. Sanford has demonstrated his ability to cut costs and improve service in the Cabinet agencies where he has authority. Improvements have been noted, for example, at the Commerce Department, Corrections and the Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism. None stands out in such contrast as the Department of Motor Vehicles, which the governor has transformed since taking office.

Incidentally, the governor's use of the horse and buggy harkens to Gov. Campbell's inauguration speech of 1991, when he said, "Failure to restructure government, failure to bring horse-and-buggy government into the space age, will perpetuate a system that answers to nobody, listens to nobody and serves nobody other than its own special interest."

That was true in 1991 and, notwithstanding some progress under Mr. Campbell's administration, the same remains true today. It is past time for the Legislature to advance the governor's restructuring agenda.