A major priority for me over the past several years has been restructuring our state government – forcing it to be more accountable to the people of South Carolina and use your tax dollars more efficiently.
This week, the House took another major step toward that goal by moving five state agencies to the control of the governor’s office – general services, human resources, the CIO’s office, procurement services, and the state energy office. These offices provide administrative services, rather than providing services directly to the people of South Carolina.
The bill, sponsored by me, approved Tuesday is the third piece of a three-part restructuring effort this year by a special Ad-Hoc Committee on Restructuring in the House Judiciary, both of which I serve on, and the House Republican Caucus. In late March, the House approved a bill that will allow the governor to appoint the secretary of state and the state superintendent of education positions, as well as allow the governor and the lieutenant governor to run on the same ticket. If approved by the Senate, the voters will get the chance to decide on each of these positions during this November’s election.
Last week the House approved the merging of the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Services into one cabinet agency that would be called the Department of Behavioral Health Services.
All three bills are now awaiting consideration by the South Carolina Senate.
A few critics of the bill argued that the Department of Administration will actually cost taxpayers more money, but findings by a commission released earlier this year show that the cost savings through new efficiencies will more than make up the cost of any new staff required by the governor’s office.
In the past several years, we have moved other departments under the control of the governor’s office with excellent success.
Moving the Department of Motor Vehicles meant a dramatic turn-around in waits and response time for services.
Reforming the Department of Transportation by requiring objective standards and more oversight has shown major changes in that department, including a savings of nearly $10 million this year.
Moving the departments of Corrections and Parks Recreation and Tourism have shown both can operate much more efficiently than before.
As I mentioned above, both of these items are awaiting consideration by the Senate. The House approved these bills with plenty of time remaining for the Senate to debate them before the end of this session. Please contact your Senator and tell them you want these pieces of conservative legislation to become law.
Thank you for the privilege of serving you in Columbia. If I can ever be of assistance to you, or if you have ideas on these issues you want me to share with the rest of the General Assembly, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 963-0337 or in Columbia at (803) 734-3045.