PO Box 12267
Columbia, SC 29211

Gov. Sanford Announces MAP Commission Web Surveys
INTERACTIVE SURVEYS SEEK INPUT FROM STATE EMPLOYEES,
PRIVATE CITIZENS IN COST-SAVING EFFORTS

Columbia, S.C. - Thursday, August 7, 2003 - 10:30 a.m. - Governor Mark Sanford today joined Ken Wingate, Chairman of the Governor's Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance (MAP), in announcing the launch of two new online surveys designed to gather input and collect cost-saving ideas from state employees and private citizens. Part of the MAP Commission's ongoing efforts to eliminate waste and improve efficiency in government, Gov. Sanford encouraged state employees and citizens alike to participate in the surveys, calling their involvement "central to our shared goal of better government."

"It's critical that we involve state employees and private citizens in the process of creating more efficient, more accountable, more consumer-friendly government in our state," said Gov. Sanford. "We've said all along that South Carolina has some of the hardest-working state employees in the nation, we're just held back as a state because our system is flawed. The goal of this new survey is simple: To get folks on the front lines of both sides of that system to help uncover flaws and come up with cost-saving ideas that will ultimately help fix them."

Created by executive order and announced on June 10, 2003, the MAP Commission is charged with studying the way government does business in an effort to save taxpayer money, increase accountability, improve service, consolidate functions, return jobs to the private sector and help make South Carolina more competitive in a global economy. Modeled after the Grace Commission created in the 1980's by former President Ronald Reagan, the MAP commission and its various committees and subcommittees will continue holding meetings in and outside of Columbia as they work toward the release of their final report in the fall.

"We're excited about adding this new research component to the work of this commission," said MAP Commission Chairman Wingate. "Hearing directly from state employees and private citizens will provide us with an invaluable perspective as well as a wealth of ideas to pursue as we seek to fulfill our mission of creating more efficient, more responsive government."

State employees and private citizens can participate by logging onto www.myscgov.com.