COLUMBIA, S.C. - At the urging of Republican Gov. Mark Sanford, lawmakers have begun discussing legislation that would restructure state government.

Sen.s said Tuesday they would not rush action on the bills that would eliminate some elected positions such as education superintendent, agriculture commissioner and adjutant general and instead direct the governor to appoint these officials.

Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Clearwater, said he wanted to know the benefits of making major government changes through restructuring.

Sanford championed executive branch restructuring during his campaign last year against Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges, said restructuring could eliminate government waste and cut costs.

Any structural overhaul of state government would result in savings, said Sanford's spokesman, Will Folks.

"Specific numbers would require specific bills to result in accurate savings projections," Folks said.

Eliminating elected positions would require a decision from voters. Sen.s want to hold public hearings to inform voters about the potential change and get their input.

Lawmakers have time to debate the issue, as a question would not appear on a ballot until at least fall of 2004, said Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens.

Restructuring is a priority, but Sanford wants input from the Legislature, Folks said.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with taking our time," Folks said. "Change doesn't happen overnight, particularly change of this magnitude."

It's likely to be a hotly debated issue. Even lawmakers and constitutional officers disagree.

Allowing voters to elect constitutional officers keeps the government "close to the people" and allows for checks and balances, said Sonny Sanders, legislative liaison for the state treasurer's office.

Secretary of State Mark Hammond also said he did not want to see change.

"I know firsthand through my travels ... people support and appreciate not only the secretary of state's office, but constitutional officers in general," Hammond said.

But Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum, a Democrat, likely would support restructuring, education officials say.

Policies on education could be centralized if the education superintendent were appointed by the governor, rather than elected, said Molly Spearman, the department's deputy superintendent for governmental affairs.

In addition, many quality people are turned away from seeking the superintendent post because of the expense and time involved in an election, Spearman said.