Legislative committees already have opened discussion on the audit, and additional meetings and hearings will be held through into the 2007 legislative session.

Gov. Mark Sanford on Wednesday reinforced his call for the consolidation of agencies under the governor's cabinet. He wants to change not only of the department's policies but also the line of authority and accountability. "You can't have a separate island of government and have accountability in government," Sanford said.

It is hard to have an accountable agency when diverse groupings of lawmakers appoint highway commissioners from various districts. The governor also gets one appointment -- the chairman. Commissioners in turn hire the executive director. Through this process parochial interests take precedence instead of those with statewide importance.

As a 5,000-employee agency with a $1 billion budget, ample room for inefficiency exists in the department.

But legislators should give more than a cursory look at the Department of Transportation. Hearings should be held, and the agency should be put under a microscope. Lawmakers also should consider making this agency a part of the governor's cabinet. Giving up control is difficult for legislators, but if they want government reform they must relinquish the authority.