Making the Comptroller General Appointed
S.59 proposes an amendment to the state constitution which would make future comptroller general’s appointed rather than elected. Frankly, the Comptroller General is an office that represents an over dividing of executive responsibilities and its duties could be folded into the office of Treasurer. But as long as the office of Comptroller General continues to exist it will do so as part of the executive branch and should therefore properly be appointed by the Governor. There is little reason the electorate should be choosing what is essentially the state’s chief accountant.
Like other appointment bills this would retain some power over the appointment with the legislature by allowing the Senate advice and consent to the Governor’s appointment, and by allowing the General Assembly to set the qualifications of the office.