Don't let filibustering senators keep DOT from essential reform

Failure of the Senate to pass a meaningful reform plan for the state Department of Transportation would designate it — not the DOT — as the single element of state government most needing a major shake-up. It is almost unimaginable that there are senators who argue against improvements for the DOT in view of the documented shortcomings of the agency.

Gov. Mark Sanford urged senators last week to review the Legislative Audit Council report that found millions in wasted money, violations of state law in the hiring of temporary employees, and officials "purposefully manipulating account balances." And that doesn't include the nepotism and favoritism in employment at the agency, cited by the LAC.

"It's a disservice to every taxpayer in South Carolina for the Senate to refuse to take a vote on DOT reform," Gov. Sanford said. "It's particularly disturbing, knowing what's in the audit report and the pervasiveness of mismanagement at that agency, that anyone would try to keep reform from advancing — which makes one wonder whether or not these anti-reform senators have even bothered to read the report."

Yet the Senate is prepared to enter its third week of a filibuster by those who are opposed to giving the governor authority over the agency, as is done in 47 other states. By contrast, the House already has approved a strong reorganization plan for the agency. It gives the governor control over the administration of the agency, and includes a system by which road projects would be prioritized according to need.

Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, is among those who oppose the reorganization of the agency, saying, in comments quoted by our reporter, that Charleston residents should be able to recognize that reform isn't needed because of all of the roads and bridges recently built in the Lowcountry. In fact, far more roads and bridges could well have been built in this state had millions of dollars not been wasted. Neither is there any reason to believe that the DOT, under its present system of governance, will take a needed statewide view when setting transportation priorities.

Under the existing legislatively dominated system, decisions related to roads and bridges are governed by politics. That's why the DOT has directed scarce resources to projects that don't meet the state's most pressing needs. That's why senators who have benefitted from the misdirected system continue to oppose substantive reform.

Many senators — perhaps most — support the reorganization of DOT and are continuing to pursue it determinedly. They include Sens. Larry Grooms and Chip Campsen, who were members of an ad hoc committee that recommended the essentials of a bill now being blocked by the filibuster.

The governor credits those legislative advocates with getting the DOT bill "close to the goal line." The agents of shameless self-interest who are filibustering this bill can't be allowed to stop the advance of the session's most important reform.