By FITSNews || As part of his ongoing efforts to enhance spending transparency amongst state agencies, S.C. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom has posted six months worth of state government credit card purchases on his website.
Unfortunately, while the data provides incredibly detailed information about vendors and amounts related to these charge card purchases, it shows no detail whatsoever regarding what was purchased – or the reason each purchase was made. Of course it’s obviously not hard to spot questionable expenses – like receipts for dry cleaning, baked hams or a $320 Hooters tab (which was incurred in May by an employee at Florence-Darlington Technical College) – but we’d like to see more details on why these items were necessary expenditures.
Using these cards, government employees charged $16 million in goods and services during the month of June. Since January 1, 2010, approximately $91.6 million has been charged.
Obviously, those amounts represent a drop in the bucket of the state’s $20.8 billion budget.
For years, FITS has argued on behalf of the state adopting an easy-to-use “online checkbook” for all government expenses. Such a database would not only provide taxpayers with a record of each agency’s itemized expenses, but would permit them to search those expenses by a variety of different categories – including the specific goods and services procured and (this is the key) the reason they were purchased. Unfortunately, an effort to create just such a database has been blocked by the state’s free-spending, Republican-controlled General Assembly – most notably by State Sen. Larry Martin.
Bottom line? Every penny spent by state government should not only be justified, its receipts should be available for immediate public inspection.
We’ve heard a lot of noise about transparency in recent years from a number of aspiring politicians, but the creation of a true “online checkbook” is where the rubber meets the road when it comes to providing taxpayers with the information they deserve about how their money is being spent.
WEB EXTRA
Procurement Card Spending Transparency (S.C. Comptroller General)
By Pelion Potentate July 14, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Will, since this is such a concern, why don’t you use your influence with the Governor’s office and get them to be the first off the block to give us an idea how it should work? Make sure you explain to them that the records go back to when you were there so us taxpayers can be sure you never spent a dime of our money without justification.
Also, make it a point to include the reason for every purchase, ’cause we all know how the folks who scream the most about transperancy are at the forefront of setting a good example. Like Nikki Haley…
By Crafty July 15, 2010 at 12:20 am
Will Folks you are such a fucking scumbag, to act like you give a fuck about what state governement is spending you are as fake as the come bub. Why dont you tell the truth how you and Haley and how you both came up with the biggest pratical joke on this state ever, namely the lie you and her came up with about an affiar to get her in the national spotlight you lying fuck!!!
By Just the Facts Ma'am July 15, 2010 at 6:37 am
I bet Eckstrom picked up his transparency ideas on his road trip in that state vehicle years ago? Remember? He took a 2004 family trip to Minnesota driving a state vehicle and using a state gas credit card. I find it hilarious that this guy wants to point his finger at others and how they spend money.
It amazes me how many seemingly intelligent people are willing to follow fakes as long as the fake is singing them a song with words that enchant them. Sanfraud, Eckstrom, and many more…..the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, they all claim to be from my party and my philosophy of being a conservative. Where have all the true leaders gone? And why do so many fellow conservatives turn their brains off and follow these pied pipers?
By eggaday July 15, 2010 at 8:24 am
south carolina is double paying SSI and Medicaid and Medicare premiums.
there is a lot of evidence to prove this, however, our AG McMaster refuses to look.
Probably because our Governor has something to do with it.
LOTS OF PEOPLE KNOW NOW~
By Hmmmmm July 15, 2010 at 1:54 pm
It looks like SC employee feel free to spend the States credit cards on whatever they want – Best Buy sure has gotten a lot of benefits from it.
By CNChapin July 15, 2010 at 2:12 pm
This should incite revolution! The vulgarity of the amounts of spending by these civil servants is inexcusable! I thought money was tight in government? Somehow Divya Jain with Florence/Darlington Tech manages to spend $191.11 @ Bojangles, $169.09 @ Wendy’s and $304.18 @ Ryan’s in the month of June??
Somehow the department of education is spending $15,391,786 on “Contractual services” and $3,093,063 on “Supplies and Materials” for the month of JUNE!?!?!?!
How the hell is this even remotely acceptable!? This is only the tip of the iceberg! These people are having an ORGY of spending with YOUR money and they’re laughing their a$$es off the whole time! It is time for the people to put the smack down on these gluttonous hogs. Where’s my pitch fork and torch!?
By snodgrass July 16, 2010 at 8:46 am
It’s a good thing lap dancers don’t take credit cards. I can just imagine all the card swiping.
By Joseph Reynolds July 16, 2010 at 8:50 am
I dont know..perhaps you should ask them first before you accuse them of some crime..
Im just saying…