No more specialty plates

Here's an idea: South Carolina should issue license plates that identify the vehicles on our roads — nothing more, nothing less.

Those who want to make a political or personal statement can slap bumper stickers on their vehicles to their hearts' content.

That simple approach would help keep South Carolina out of court. We've ended up there twice now because lawmakers can't seem to see the trouble that lies ahead, or else they choose to ignore it. ...

Sticking to using license plates for vehicle identification would dry up a revenue source for some nonprofit groups, but anyone who wants to support those groups has plenty of other ways to do so, including simply writing a check.

South Carolina should get out of the specialty plate business.

The (Hilton Head) Island Packet

I-73 enthusiasm waning

The early word from Washington is that South Carolina could get $2.5 billion to $4 billion as part of President-elect Obama's infrastructure plan for the states. So that bodes well for Interstate 73, the S.C. Department of Transportation's putative No. 1 new-road construction priority, right?

Not necessarily. For reasons not yet clear, the S.C. DOT's enthusiasm for I-73 has waned. If Congress comes through with infrastructure money next year as presently imagined, I-73- related projects might get none of it.

Why? The Obama infrastructure plan will plow money into ready-to-go projects around the country. But in the S.C. DOT's view, I-73, which would link Myrtle Beach with Interstate 95 and metro Charlotte, N.C, doesn't fall into that category. ...

Don't misunderstand: The editorial board gets it that any infrastructure money coming through the federal pipeline must be spread to projects around the state. Every part of South Carolina deserves a quick infusion of federal money to free up clogged regional economies while putting laid-off people back to work. ...

All the Grand Strand is asking is that its most important projects be included in the mix. Because that request is reasonable, and vital to reviving S.C. tourism, Isaac should have no trouble making it — and obtaining the desired results.

The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News

DSN needs some work

A recent audit of the state agency that serves the mentally disabled found that millions in taxpayer dollars have gone unspent, and some abusive staff members who should have been fired may have remained on the job. Several other problems were identified, as well. ...

Gov. Mark Sanford said the audit proves his case that the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs should be restructured, with its director appointed and held accountable by the governor. It's true, however, that the agency is governed by a seven-member commission whose members are appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. But the audit pointed out that the agency denied some of its board members access to public information.

A spokeswoman for the department said the agency is "completely on board" with the audit's recommendations. Both the agency and state leaders should make sure those recommendations are heeded, with a comprehensive follow-up audit to ensure positive reforms have been implemented.

The Greenville News