During the 1996 legislative session, I led the fight to pass the first of its kind independent performance audit of state government. I currently serve as Chairman of the South Carolina Performance Audit Steering Committee.

The committee takes a results oriented, outside look at the inside workings of government and makes recommendations to the General Assembly for the reduction, consolidation, and elimination of state programs.

Since its inception, the committee has employed innovative means to move the measure forward and make the statewide audit a reality. For example, state agencies have been asked by the committee to provide half of the funding necessary to audit their agency.

Also, as part of the original mission, the committee audited two public school districts in South Carolina in 1999 and 2000.

This process has led to millions of dollars in recommended savings and has opened the door to more efficient ways of doing the state’s business.

The South Carolina Export Consortium was created to help South Carolina’s businesses and industries to expand through export opportunities. In previous years the export industry has accounted for one third of all economic growth in the country. Recognizing this, I joined with the State Chamber of Commerce in a full scale effort to leverage existing export services so that companies can create more growth and jobs by tapping into the immense potential of the export market.

The Consortium is a public, private and academic partnership with the resources to provide businesses with export assessment, consulting, education, and training.

Since 1979, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor has conducted a statewide writing contest for all fifth and eighth graders from public and private schools statewide.

More than 100,000 students participate annually and, of those, approximately 9000 students receive awards for excellence in composition and expository writing.

Beginning in 1997, with the help of Columbia College and private donations, we were able to offer district recipients the opportunity to attend a cost free two day, one night writing workshop. Participants receive expert instruction from area poets, journalists, script writers, novelists, television broadcasters and others.

Lost & Found Refunds Program  

Every year the post office is unable to deliver tens of thousands of IRS refund checks back to taxpayers.  Last year alone $67 million in refunds were returned to the IRS.  

My web site lists the names of South Carolinians who never received their federal refund from previous tax years.  If you are expecting a tax refund, please visit the list.  After all, it's your money not the government's

Go to the Lt. Governor's Lost & Found Refunds Page

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