“Gov. Sanford has an effective solution to budget problems,” Schatz says 

(Washington, D.C.) – The 11,800 members and supporters of Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) in South Carolina today commended Gov. Mark Sanford (R) for signing an executive order establishing the Governor’s Commission on Management, Accountability, and Performance (MAP), modeled after President Reagan’s Grace Commission.

“Governor Sanford is a leader in trying to solve the state budget crises that are gripping the nation,” CAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “In creating MAP, he has an effective solution to budget problems.  The result will be a more effective and accountable government, improved delivery of services, and savings for the taxpayers of South Carolina.”

The commission, consisting of 12 private sector leaders from throughout the state, will be headed by former gubernatorial candidate Ken Wingate.  This is the same approach taken by President Reagan when he established the Grace Commission, out of which CAGW was created two years later.  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.  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.

“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 MAP 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 first-term governor originally announced plans for the commission during his State of the State address in January.  Members of MAP will pore through the state’s budget over the course of the summer and submit a report to the governor in September.

“Any organization can improve its operations and deliver better services at less cost,” Schatz concluded.  “Changes in efficiency have a long-term impact, and that is why MAP is vital to the future of South Carolina.  Governor Sanford’s leadership 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.”

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