COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The man who said
he'd quit Gov. Mark Sanford's Cabinet if he didn't raise an extra $90
million from tax scofflaws says he's leaving his job as Revenue
Department director in the next few months.
Burnet Maybank says he'll return to a private tax law practice.
Maybank, the man chiefly responsible for collecting the cash that
fuels the state's $6 billion budget, says the decision involves his own
pocket book.
"I've got four kids in private school, and in my case, my creditors
have had all the fun they can," Maybank said. "If I had won the lottery,
it would take dynamite to get me out of here."
Maybank also was revenue director for former Gov. David Beasley and
was legal counsel to former Gov. Carroll Campbell.
"He's a rare jewel in the rough of state government," Beasley said.
"You could always count on Burnie to know the facts and tell you the
truth. He's got an incredible intellectual capacity."
In 2003, Maybank surprised legislators and others as he pitched an
odd promise: give his agency $9 million to hire more people to audit and
collect taxes and he'd generate $90 million to help fill holes in the
state's budget.
Sanford was skeptical, but others bought the idea Maybank helped sell
it by promising to quit his job if he didn't deliver.
The Legislature raised the stakes for Maybank, saying he'd have to
bring in at least $300 million in regular tax law enforcement
collections even before he could begin counting money toward the $90
million goal. Maybank beat both goals.
"He stuck his neck out and knocked it out of the park," John Rainey,
chairman of the State Board of Economic Advisors, said.
Maybank also made national news recently by targeting property owners
who abuse conservation easements tax breaks and those who aid in setting
up illegal tax shelters.
"The state can ill-afford to lose him," Rainey said. "The system
needs more Burnies."
"He's definitely one of the best tax minds we've got," House Ways and
Means Chairman Dan Cooper, R-Piedmont said. "Everybody respects him and
believes in him."
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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com/
