Friday, February 5, 2010
News Perdue wants labor, insurance, other elected posts to be appointed
Posted by Thomas Wheatley @thomaswheatley on Fri, Feb 5, 2010 at 3:49 PM
While walking the grounds of the West Paces Ferry duplex at 3:14 a.m. in his jammies, Gov. Sonny Perdue had a wonderful idea. "I'm leaving office in less than a year," he very loudly said to himself, waking up next door neighbor Arthur Blank's hounds. "I need to restructure the state government. It is decided. Now I will go and watch bass fishing blooper videos."
Aaron Gould Sheinin of the AJC reports:
Perdue’s plan, which would require approval of voters in November, would allow future governors to appoint the state’s insurance, labor and agriculture commissioners, as well as the state school superintendent.[...]Georgia is one of only five states that elect a labor commissioner and one of only nine states to elect its agriculture commissioner. Twelve other states elect an insurance commissioner and 14 vote for state school superintendent.
Georgia voters would ultimately decide this fall if the governor's proposal passes. Some folks oppose plans similar to Perdue's because they fear it could open the offices up to cronyism. But Perdue and supporters think it'll allow officials to focus on policy matters rather than just getting re-elected. And sometimes the departments suffer because the head honcho was decided via popularity contest. The money quote comes courtesy of state Sen. Bill "Silver Fox" Heath, R-Bremen. The 2008 Golden Sleaze recipient supports the proposal.
“Those offices are offices that require or deserve expertise," Heath said. "In the election process it’s not always the most qualified person who wins the election.”
You don't say.
UPDATE: Attorney General Thurbert Baker, a 2010 Democratic gubernatorial candidate, says hell-to-the-no to Perdue's proposal:
“The Governor’s proposal to take away people’s right to vote for four constitutional offices is simply wrong. In a state where the right to vote was fought for and advanced, it is insulting to propose taking that right away from people, especially for critical policy making positions that affect so many lives. These offices exist to serve the people, not to be political trophies for the politicians who would like to control them.”
Comments (9)
Showing 1-9 of 9
So the Governor said, "It's decided." To let the voters decide. He's not talking about shoving something down your throat or through a back door. And your problem with that is . . . what?
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Exactly. It is decided he would push for that change. Just really exciting that we're seeing all these initiatives — water legislation, transportation support, getting serious about mortgage fraud, etc. — in his final year in office, ya know?
The sun shines even on a dog's a$$ sometimes. It's a good proposal, no need to tear it down just because you don't like Bubba.
Far from it, AH, my friend. I don't hold any ill will toward the governor. And I wasn't necessarily knocking the proposal. I'd have to do more research on what exactly he's proposed. I haven't seen any legislation. But for how coy Perdue was at the beginning of the session about his last year in office (and his legacy), we're seeing a lot of movement.
And sometimes the departments suffer because the head honcho was decided via popularity contest.... Using that logic, the Governor should not be elected by the people either.
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