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Concentrated Power in the Legislative Leadership The Legislature itself is essentially run by four individuals: the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, and the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. The Speaker of the House appoints all committee members, who in turn, select the chair of each committee. This includes the chair of the House Ways & Means Committee. The chair of the House Ways & Means Committee and the chair of the Senate Finance Committee exercise enormous power over state government by virtue of their positions on the Budget & Control Board (BCB). Unlike the other three members of the BCB, the legislative members of the board are not elected to statewide office. In fact, the Senate Finance chair is in no way accountable to voters statewide and holds his position based solely on seniority.
Control Over the Economy, Education and Other Areas The Legislature exercises tacit control over the states government and economy by means of 250-plus boards and commissions that regulate nearly every activity in the state. By means of such agencies as the S.C. Research Authority and the Endowed Chairs Program the legislative leadership is seeking to create a top-down, government-driven economy for South Carolina. The General Assembly likewise exercises a great deal of control over K-12 school policy via the State Board of Education and over the states university system by means of its appointment power over highered boards. Finally, in the name of job creation, legislators have allocated more than $1.5 billion in economic incentives to favored business interests.
If one of the primary obstacles to good government in South Carolina is a state constitution that concentrates power in the Legislature, there are several statutory changes that would go a long way toward breaking the Legislatures control over our states government and economy. These include: eliminating the Budget & Control Board; reforming the Senate committee selection and chairman appointment process; and increasing gubernatorial authority over executive branch boards and commissions.
Nothing in the foregoing should be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder passage of any legislation. Copyright 2010 South Carolina Policy Council.