SC Government implements new system for spending transparency

South Carolina Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom has imposed a new system for tracking money received by the state in the new stimulus package.

With the new system, the money will be coded and tracked to ensure it's properly spent. With taxpayers in mind, the state plans to provide the public with information to prove the money will be spent promoting S.C.'s economy.

"The money is assigned a code and projects are assigned a code, so we ensure money is used as intended," said R.J. Shealy, communication director for Eckstrom.

Shealy said this new plan, designed to bring transparency to taxpayers on just how money is spent, will bring stringent reporting on each dollar the state receives.

Corey King, a second-year business student, said he is glad the state is making an effort, but that they have some work to do.

"After eight years of spending and government secrecy, it's nice to see people making an effort to spend money in the ways we want it spent," King said. "It's also nice to see an elected official putting party opinions aside to get things done, rather than trying to be obstinate."

With Eckstrom's new plan, state agency heads must also implement and abide by the tracking and coding if they receive stimulus money.

"They've got no choice," Shealy said. "If they're getting money, they've got to agree."

Eckstrom's staff plans to provide agencies' finance personnel with account guidance if necessary.

As part of Eckstrom's plan, the state intends to provide the transparency information to the public via a Web site.

Shealy said there is not adequate information provided to the public outlining the stimulus bill.

"You can't find an easy-to-read list of projects they've approved anywhere online," Shealy said on the lack of information in the stimulus bill available to the public. "Hopefully, someone soon will provide an easy-to-read list and we'll have a list specific to S.C."

As the state government attempts to reassure S.C. residents that their tax dollars are being put to good use, some students said they agree the timing is better than ever.

Chelsea Shamsedin, a second-year business student, said she'd like to know where the stimulus money is going and that the Web site is beneficial.

"It's a good time for the government to inform the public on where money is really going," she said. "During the recession, it's better the public not be in the dark about these matters because there has always been stipulation on where taxpayers' money ends up."