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| Monday, Jan 27, 2003 |
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Posted on January 23, 2003 Sanford tells state to reconfigure and not expect new programs It was an austere message. It wasn't flashy. It was not designed to build political support by catering to various political constituencies. It was designed to put the state on the proper course out of the financial mess it is in. The governor did not outline a list of new programs he wants the state to start so it could provide new benefits to state residents. Instead, he quickly informed citizens that the state can't afford anything new. Sanford told South Carolinians that he can't make new promises because there isn't enough money to pay for the old promises he inherited. Instead, the state will have to cut back spending for the third year in a row. But the governor's message was not that there is nothing the state can do but tighten its belt and wait for better times. Sanford urged state leaders to examine the structure of state government and to change that structure to meet the current challenges. State leaders can make the changes outlined by Sanford without incurring much cost. While there is little money to spend, lawmakers can focus their attention on changing state institutions to make them more responsive, accountable and effective. The governor would make politicians more accountable by passing a campaign finance disclosure bill that had been vetoed in the past. He would prohibit state agencies from using taxpayers' money to lobby legislators to give them more taxpayers' money. He would further increase accountability and enhance the efficiency of the executive branch by bringing more constitutional officeholders into his Cabinet. He would reduce the number of state boards and commissions and control more state agencies from the Governor's Office. In short, he would finish the job of restructuring started under former Gov. Carroll Campbell's administration. This would make the governor more accountable for the efficiency and service of state government. Lawmakers should go along with many of these requests. Sanford would make state government more efficient by reforming the state budget process, forcing state agencies to better justify their funding and pushing lawmakers and other state officials to make long-term financial plans. These and the other restructuring plans Sanford outlined are not esoteric changes that most citizens won't notice. In the long run, they could have significant effects -- lowering taxes, encouraging business, spurring the creation of more charter schools and generating more trust in state government. It is the proper course for this state, particularly at this time.
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