Published Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Perdue's reorganization plan deserves attention, but only after priorities are addressed

Editorial

Gov. Sonny Perdue is hearing opposition from both Republicans and Democrats about his idea of appointing -- rather than electing -- four statewide constitutional officers: The state school superintendent, labor commissioner, agriculture commissioner and insurance commissioner.

We don't understand the timing of the governor's push for this government reorganization. With all the budget problems in our state and other priorities -- transportation, water, jobs, trauma care and education -- we don't want to see something like the reorganization proposal take up precious time during the current legislative session that should be devoted to finding solutions to these priorities.

However, we think later, Perdue's reorganization proposal deserves serious consideration. We don't see much wrong with the governor appointing these four statewide office holders. That's what happens in the vast majority of other states. In fact, Georgia is one of just five states that elect a labor commissioner, one of nine states that elect an agriculture commissioner, on of 12 states that elect the insurance commissioner and one of 14 states that vote for a state school superintendent.

The people of our state elect the governor. We simply don't have a big problem with the governor filling these four positions by appointment. It's sort of like the U.S. President appointing his Cabinet members. We don't see this as an issue of taking power away from the people. This appointee process might even take some of the political posturing out of our state government. It might even get more qualified people in these offices.

We don't think Perdue's proposal will muster enough support for approval this legislative session, and it should not because of other priorities. But this plan deserves full debate in the future after our budget crisis, transportation, water, education, jobs and other issues are resolved.