S.C. lawmakers look at changes for state’s top accounting job

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - This November, South Carolina voters could have the choice to make a statewide position they currently elect – one appointed by the governor instead.

This week, state senators passed a resolution to put this question on the ballot for the position of comptroller general – South Carolina’s top accountant – who’s currently elected every four years.

House members still need to pass this resolution as well for the question to be on the ballot this year.

Then it would take a majority of voters to approve it – to make the state’s top accountant – an appointed office.

“The comptroller general really makes no policy decisions. They’re like your accountant. They balance your books. They make sure — they’re supposed to make sure — your books are balanced,” said state Sen. Sen. Chip Campsen, the resolution’s lead sponsor.

S.C. STATE HOUSE COVERAGE:

Bill aims to make sure S.C. has the future electricity it needs

Lawmakers want to make sure the lights stay on in a state that grew by more than 30% in decades, adding more than 1.4 million people.

License plate readers raise concern for some S.C. lawmakers

You probably pass by devices every day that law enforcement officials say are crucial tools. But some lawmakers are uncomfortable with them.

S.C. businesses battle proposed ban on vaccine mandates

A bill that will await a debate in Columbia this week has sparked fears it could harm South Carolina’s pro-business reputation.

S.C. legislation could offer new tools to go after hard-core criminals

Law enforcement and prosecutors are calling on South Carolina lawmakers to give them more tools to go after the criminals running drug trafficking, sex trafficking and retail theft operations.

This push from senators follows the ongoing unraveling of a $3.5 billion accounting error made over the course of years in the comptroller’s office.

Officials determined that was mistake on paper – but it led to former comptroller general Richard Eckstrom’s resignation last year.

Then in the last few months – the same Senate panel that uncovered that blunder – found out there’s another facet to it – with the treasurer’s office and actual cash involved this time – nearly $2 billion sitting in a state account right now.

And no one knows whose money it is.

“There seems to have been a loss of who the cash belongs to. It’s like going into your bank and the bank president tells you, ‘We’ve got a lot of money in the vault. We just don’t know who it belongs to.’ That’s not a good answer,” said Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Berkeley.

The investigation into this nearly two-billion-dollars -- has led to finger-pointing between new comptroller Brian Gaines – and Treasurer Curtis Loftis.

Next week, both men will appear before that Senate panel – as they try to get to the bottom of this latest debacle.

Comptroller Gaines was appointed last year by the governor – after his predecessor’s resignation.

Gaines has previously said he supports making this position one that’s always appointed – instead of elected every four years.