Mississippi Legislature Considers Bill Limiting Auditor Powers

A House of Delegates subcommittee in Virginia voted against a bill that aimed to transfer accounting responsibilities from the elected city treasurer of Hopewell to the Finance Department, largely due to concerns about undermining an elected official. The bill was introduced amid legal troubles for the current treasurer, who faces multiple charges related to fraud and embezzlement. Meanwhile, in Mississippi, legislation is advancing that would significantly curtail the powers of the state auditor's office, with Auditor Shad White condemning the move as a potential step towards corruption. The proposed Senate Bill 2847 would limit the auditor's ability to file lawsuits and audit certain expenditures, raising alarms about accountability for taxpayer dollars. White argues that the bill, which comes after his office uncovered significant government waste, may be a response to scrutiny some politicians face. The situation has sparked bipartisan discussions about the roles and responsibilities of auditors in maintaining transparency and accountability in state governance.