Trimming fat or Cronyism?

Senate Bill 2680, which seeks to allow state agencies/departments/newly elected statewide officials to hire and fire at will for a year without the oversight of the state personal board.

The Republicans, including Haley Barbour, are touting that the state government should run like a business, and therefore, these measures are necessary in a tight budget year.

However, Democrats are arguing that this will open the state up to more litigation, and also promotes cronyism in state government.

What do you all think? (If there are any state employees who blog on here, please give us your thoughts as this may affect you.)