COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – In South Carolina, the State Auditor is chosen by the State’s Fiscal Accounting Authority (SFAA), but some lawmakers are pushing for the governor to decide.

“This should be given to South Carolinians when this change is made, a lot more confidence that the person who supposed to be looking out for them and their interest over top of these two offices is actually independent and not working for them,” said Representative Brandon Newton (R – District 45).

The call for change comes after a report released in January from an independent financial accounting firm claimed the former Comptroller General, State Auditor, and current Treasurer knew about accounting errors, which led to the discovering of the “mystery” $1.8 billion last year.

It was later found that most of that money did not exist.

In the report, the firm recommended the state auditor be chosen by the governor.
Rep. Newton, the bill’s main sponsor, said that since the Comptroller General and Treasurer are on the committee that picks the state auditor, it is a conflict of interest.

“Whoa, that is not right, that you’re answering a group of people that you’re auditing that they need to be independent, and you’d be separate, and especially since the treasurer and comptroller are currently elected, they don’t have bosses,” Newton said. “Their bosses are the voters.”

Representative Guilda Cobb-Hunter (D – District 95) said she is proposing an amendment to the bill that would allow the Governor to appoint both the Comptroller General and Treasurer.

The amendment would require a change to the state’s constitution.

“Voters in this state would support a constitutional amendment that says we’re going to vote into the 21st century and we’re going to allow the governor to appoint the chief executive officer to appoint the treasurer and comptroller general,” Rep. Cobb-Hunter said.

Rep. Newton said he doesn’t think the amendment is a good idea.

“I don’t think we can put constitutional amendments onto bills that are changing statue,” he said. “They usually have to run separately.”

Last year, the same bill was unanimously passed in the house but never brought up in the Senate.

Sen. Larry Grooms said the proposed legislation should be a top priority.

“It seems like there’s a greater commitment from all parties involved to ensure that our financial house is strong and in order and built as it should be,” said Sen. Grooms.

Rep. Newton said Comptroller General Brian Gaines and State Treasurer Curtis Loftis support this bill.

Gaines and Loftis are not alone. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said he also supports this bill.