Columbia, SC — The change at the Department of Motor Vehicles is a shining example of effective state government transformation. A few years ago, going to a branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles constituted taking a day off work, long lines, interacting with rude employees and just general frustration. Say what you want to about former Gov. Mark Sanford, but his reforms totally revolutionized the agency. My last couple of trips to my local DMV have been short and quite pleasant. Information is readily available, lines are virtually nonexistent, and employees are knowledgeable, friendly and efficient.

While we should be thankful for the changes, we must not tolerate recent failures at other state entities. It is embarrassing that the S.C. Department of Revenue computers were hacked, compromising sensitive citizen information. This was a profound failure of a state agency.

We can’t change the past, but we can change the future. Gov. Sanford proved with the DMV that a state agency can be reformed for the better. I call on Gov. Nikki Haley to fix the problems at the Department of Revenue. Effective leaders actually lead and reform. Ineffective leaders offer excuses why it can’t be done and blame others.

We have some problems in South Carolina. Gov. Haley needs to fix them. I haven’t decided if I’m going to vote to re-elect Gov. Haley if she runs in 2014. Maybe she will get my vote if my identity is not stolen.

Jay Glasgow

Columbia