In his July 3 column, Charlie Arlinghaus argued that we should “end New Hampshire’s archaic government structure.” Arlinghaus is president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, which is self-described as a free-market think tank.

Outsiders would label Arlinghaus, former director of the New Hampshire Republican Party as a conservative. Similarly, they would label me, a Democratic member of the state House of Representatives for 14 years, the last four of which I served as chair of the Finance Committee — as a liberal.

Labels provide an easy shortcut to categorize people, but they do a disservice to the complexities of issues facing decision makers. For instance, I agree with almost everything Arlinghaus wrote about the importance of giving New Hampshire’s governor the power to appoint his own commissioners with terms that match the governor’s.

With the possible exception of Texas, New Hampshire’s governor has power more limited than that of any other state’s governor. We elect a governor with the expectation that she will shape the policy over the course of her term, but do not give her the power to name department heads who will carry out that policy.

New Hampshire deserves a state with three strong and independent branches of government — legislative, executive and judicial. I would add to Mr. Arlinghaus’ proposal several additional components, some of which would require legislative action, constitutional amendment, or action by our proud carry-over from the 18th century, the Executive Council.

The Executive Council should have no more than 30 days to act on the governor’s nominations. If the council has not reached a final determination in that time, the nominee should be deemed to have been confirmed. If the governor is to be held accountable for the actions of the executive branch, she is entitled to have working for her those individuals she deems best able to carry out her policy.

The Executive Council should have the right to confirm nominations for far fewer positions than is now the case. Lower-level agency appointments should be made by the governor with the involvement of the relevant agency head.

Once expenditures are approved through the budget process, the governor should have the authority to enter into contracts of less than $100,000 without review by the Executive Council. The current council agendas are so choked with “nickel and dime” items that they do not have the time to focus on the major issues on their agenda, making it difficult for the chief executive to act in a timely and appropriate way and for the council to focus on the major issues.

While keeping two-year terms for the New Hampshire House and Senate, thereby providing frequent voter involvement, the governor’s term should be extended to four years. Running a state, even one as small as New Hampshire, is complicated. It takes time to develop and execute policies. If a governor must begin to prepare for the next election at the moment that she is elected, there is no time or ability to tackle the major issues the state faces.

Marjorie Smith, a Democrat from Durham, is a former chairman of the House Finance Committee.