All 130 state companies like DHEC, the Division of Training, DSS, and many others. spent $47 million in journey in 2022.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — State Comptroller General, Richard Eckstrom, is issuing a problem to all state company leaders to maintain journey spending down within the subsequent 12 months.
Eckstrom says spending toward travel for state agencies went up by 190% in 2022. With the trend of the pandemic dying down a bit, he says state companies have felt extra comfy touring out and in of state once more.
Earlier than the onset of the pandemic, in 2017 and 18, state companies spend $81 million on journey, however Eckstrom needs to problem administrators of those companies to not let this a lot spending occur once more.
“The explanation I’m difficult company heads to clip 5% off what they spent this 12 months, is to name to their consideration to the truth that they did not must journey close to as a lot final 12 months,” Eckstrom defined.
The company that spent probably the most in journey cash this 12 months was Clemson University with their whole coming to $7.4 million. Subsequent in line was the University of South Carolina at $5.1 million.
The House of Representatives spent $1.2 million virtually tying with the State Department of Education.
Senator Josh Kimbrell defined why these companies have to journey.
“Once you begin wanting on the $47 million and also you see there are conferences, there’s journey, there are bills associated to the state doing its enterprise,” Kimbrell acknowledged.
There are 130 companies within the state that journey every year, Kimbrell says he can perceive a visit out of city for sure sorts of enterprise, however not something extravagant.
“It depends upon the state company, if it is the commerce division going to BMW in Germany to speak about them increasing their plant in Spartanburg right here, that is a rational use of journey {dollars},” Kimbrell mentioned. “If it is the Division of Income having a ‘studying session’ within the Bahamas, which I am not saying they’ve accomplished, however that might be an issue.”
The Comptroller Normal says he and his workers will hold a detailed eye on journey bills over the subsequent 12 months and are wanting ahead to seeing the numbers for 2023.
