News and Press Releases for November 2006

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11/29/2006

Gov. Sanford Issues Statement on Restructuring Bills

Governor Thanks Sen. McConnell for Quick Action on Filing Restructuring Bills

Columbia, S.C. - Gov. Mark Sanford today issued the following statement on seven Senate bills introduced today by Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell, that would give South Carolina voters the option to continue electing seven of the state's constitutional officers, or have them be appointed by future governors. The bills pre-filed by Sen. McConnell cover the Superintendent of Education, the Secretary of State, the Adjutant General, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Comptroller General and the state Treasurer, and would allow future governors and lieutenant governors to run on the same ticket instead of being separately elected. If passed, voters would be given an opportunity to decide on the 2008 ballot to make these changes.

"Restructuring is going to be a key priority for us in the coming session, and I want to thank Senator McConnell for making it one of his priorities by introducing these bills as a top order of business for the Senate," Gov. Sanford said. "Giving voters a chance to decide on these offices is an important part of the restructuring that we'll be pushing for, but along with that is the idea of restructuring our government agencies like the Department of Transportation so that they're truly accountable to the people they serve. I look forward to working with Senator McConnell on this issue, and I'd ask the full Senate for their support on this going forward."

"These joint resolutions will give voters a chance to decide at the ballot box the model of management they want for South Carolina's government in the 21st Century," Sen. McConnell said.