(WSB Radio State Capitol Bureau) --  Gov. Perdue is defending his call for future governors to appoint the labor, agriculture, and insurance commissioners as well as the state school superintendent.

"These are more policy positions that fit in with the things that most people believe the governor is responsible for anyway," he says.

The plan has raised opposition not only from some in the Democratic Party, but many Republicans who support the Tea Party movement.

"Some people will never be for change... I understand that," Perdue says.

He disagrees that by appointing the positions , voters will be disenfranchised.

"The ballot box ultimately wins in this situation .  People can vote on this idea... and if they choose not to do that, my conscious is clear as far as having offered what I believe to be a more modern, better cabinet-form of government," says Perdue.

Because the measure is a constitutional amendment, it would need two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate before going to the voters in November.