COLUMBIA (AP) -- A number of business groups have joined those who oppose giving South Carolina's governor direct control of the health agency.
The State newspaper reported Friday that 15 business and industry representatives sent a letter to a Senate committee chairman, opposing plans to put the governor in charge of the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
DHEC is governed by a seven-member board appointed by the governor, although the chief executive has no direct authority over the board.
Leaders of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance signed the letter, along with executives from Duke Energy, South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. and others.
The letter says putting the governor in charge would send the wrong message about the state's business climate.
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