(Washington, D.C.) – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) President Tom Schatz today is meeting with the 12-member Governor’s Commission on Management, Accountability, and Performance, dubbed the Wingate Commission after Chairman Ken Wingate, to discuss how to improve efficiency in the South Carolina state government.

“The 11,800 members and supporters of CAGW in South Carolina are excited that Governor Mark Sanford has created the Wingate Commission and look forward to its success in saving taxpayer money,” Schatz said.  “The final result will be a more effective and accountable government, and improved delivery of services.”

Schatz, who will also be meeting with the governor, will address the commission at its meeting today.  Topics will include methodology, best practices from other states, and the success of the Grace Commission and similar efforts at the state level.

“History has illustrated that removing politics and using a private sector approach to increase efficiency is the best way to improve overall government performance,” Schatz continued.  “Once the Wingate Commission makes its recommendations, it is imperative that the legislature take action in order to alleviate the state’s budget problems.  Taxpayers must also get involved to ensure that the commission’s work bears fruit.”

The commission, created by an executive order from Gov. Sanford on June 10, consists of 12 private sector leaders from throughout the state.  After poring through the state’s budget throughout the summer, the commission is expected to make a report to the Governor in September.  The Wingate Commission is similar to President Reagan’s Grace Commission in 1982.  J. Peter Grace chaired the group of national business leaders, which President Reagan instructed to work like “tireless bloodhound[s]” in order to improve the efficiency of the federal government.  Grace then formed CAGW in 1984 to carry on the mission of drawing attention to waste in the federal government.  Through the implementation of some of the Grace Commission’s 2,478 recommendations, CAGW has helped save more than $700 billion since its inception.  However, much work remains to be done to eliminate waste, inefficiency and mismanagement in the federal government.

“The Wingate Commission should be emulated by other states if they want to control budget deficits and give their taxpayers a better return on their investment in the government,” Schatz concluded.  “Changes in efficiency have a long-term impact, and that is why the commission is vital to the future of South Carolina.”

Citizens Against Government Waste is the nation's largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.