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Columns

In connection with his role as the state’s chief financial officer, former Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom wrote about important public issues as a guest columnist in newspapers across the state.

Below you will find archives of his columns. 

 

Building I-73 Is In The State's Best Interest (Nov. 3, 2021) (PDF)

Building I-73 Is In The State's Best Interest (Oct. 25, 2021) (PDF)

Inflation Threat Means It's Time to Pump Brakes on Spending (Sept. 29, 2021) (PDF)

SC Youth Need Greater Focus on Financial Literacy (July 9, 2019) (PDF)

It's Time To Be Alarmed About Our Pension System Debt (June 26, 2019) (PDF)

The Little Number at the Root of Our Biggest Problem (June 14, 2019) (PDF)

Breaking the Gasoline Tax Promises (May 10, 2019) (PDF)

Amid National Media Distrust, Community Newspapers' Value Shines (April 24, 2019) (PDF)

Veterans Charities Can Be a Good Cause, but Be Cautious (April 11, 2019) (PDF)

The Enduring Legacy of America's Greatest Generation (March 27, 2019) (PDF)

The Lessons of Venezuela and Socialism (March 6, 2019) (PDF)

Follow SC Fiscal Accountability Authority Meetings Online (Jan. 24, 2019) (PDF)

A Compelling Case Against High Taxes (Jan. 16, 2019) (PDF)

New Year an Opportunity to Rededicate Ourselves to Good Government (Jan. 9, 2019) (PDF)

Let's Recognize Those Who Give of Themselves to Make a Difference (Dec. 20, 2018) (PDF)

As Tuition Pinches Wallets, College Travel Costs Merit Scrutiny (Nov. 28, 2018) (PDF)

In Times of Crisis, Heroes Abound (Sept. 28, 2018) (PDF)

No Time for a Spending Spree (Aug. 28, 2018) (PDF)

The Societal Value of American Legion Baseball (Aug. 9, 2018) (PDF)

Transparency Website Ranked in Top 10 Nationally (July 22, 2018) (PDF)

Nuggets of Advice for Taxpayers (May 16, 2018) (PDF)

Sunlight for Gasoline Tax Expenditures (March 12, 2018) (PDF)

Small Newspapers Make a Big Difference (Feb. 7, 2018) (PDF)

Timely Financial Reporting Vital for Public Institutions (Jan. 11, 2018) (PDF)

Candidates Should Commit to Civil, Issue-Based Campaigns (Jan. 11, 2018) (PDF)

Some New Year's Resolutions for Public Officials (Dec. 29, 2017) (PDF)

Keeping Track of Government Travel Costs (Dec. 9, 2017) (PDF)

A Public Safety Problem That Can No Longer Be Ignored (Oct. 31, 2017) (PDF)

Total Eclipse Provided Welcome Distraction (Sept. 5, 2017) (PDF)

Gas Tax Transparency Project Will Raise Public Awareness, Strengthen Oversight of Tax Hike (Aug. 22, 2017) (PDF)

Questions to Ask When Politicians Set Sights on Your Wallet (Aug. 1, 2017) (PDF)

Clemson, Coastal Carolina Titles a Reminder of State's Potential (Jan. 23, 2017) (PDF)

Dillon Herald Readers Request Eckstrom's Column on Local Elections Be Republished; Paper Obliges (Jan. 22, 2016) (PDF)

The Deception of Obamacare (Nov. 27, 2014) (PDF)

Finding Ways to Fix Our Roads, Five Years After the Stimulus (Oct. 16, 2014) (PDF)

Our Shared Battle Against Mental Illness (Oct. 8, 2014) (PDF)

Transparency Movement Sees Progress, Setbacks (Sept. 26, 2014) (PDF)

Lessons from Hurricane Hugo (Sept. 19, 2014) (PDF)

Shop Locally, and Improve Your Community (Sept. 10, 2014) (PDF)

NFL Could Always Use Another Dose of Sportsmanship (Aug. 27, 2014) (PDF)

Amid the Bad News, Much Good News to Be Found (Aug. 26, 2014) (PDF)

The Case for Low Taxes (Aug. 26, 2014) (PDF)

Apollo 11 an Achievement Worth Remembering (Aug. 1, 2014) (PDF)

Community Festivals are More Than a Fun Time (June 20, 2014) (PDF)

The Search for an Autism Breakthrough (June 10, 2014) (PDF)

Today's Grads Give Reason for Optimism (May 20, 2014) (PDF)

Reflecting on the Boston Marathon Bombings (April 22, 2014) (PDF)

South Carolina's Encouraging Economic News (April 15, 2014) (PDF)

Instilling Patriotism in Today's Youth (April 11, 2014) (PDF)

Improving SC's Transparency Website a Never-Ending Challenge (April 11, 2014) (PDF)

Advice for the White House: Promise Less, Deliver More (March 28, 2014) (PDF)

Sunshine Week Reminder: Make Sure Spending is Transparent (March 14, 2014) (PDF)

Watchdog Citizens Deserve Elected Officials' Respect (March 10, 2014) (PDF)

Celebrating Presidents Day on the Third Monday in February (Feb. 19, 2014) (PDF)

Officers' Courage Shouldn't Be Taken for Granted (Feb. 18, 2014) (PDF)

A Promising, and Discouraging, Sign for Open Government (Feb. 6, 2014) (PDF)

Apprenticeships Help Young Workers, Companies and SC's Economy (Jan. 31, 2014) (PDF)

The Real Value of USC's and Clemson's Accomplishments (Jan. 15, 2014) (PDF)

SC Leaders Should Set Goals for New Year (Jan. 3, 2014) (PDF)

Reflecting on Thanksgiving, from Pilgrim Days to Modern Times (Nov. 25, 2013) (PDF)

Economic Development in SC – Let's Allow the Sun to Shine (Nov. 8, 2013) (PDF)

State Safeguards Tax Dollars on Multiple Levels (Oct. 21, 2013) (PDF)

State Guard Trains to Help Communities (Oct. 15, 2013) (PDF)

SC's Public Debt – First the Good News (Oct. 8, 2013) (PDF)

Your Local Newspaper – It's About Community (Oct. 2, 2013) (PDF)

The Moral Challenge of Affordable Tuition (Sept. 19, 2013) (PDF)

Cap – or Better Yet, Eliminate – School Fees (Aug. 30, 2013) (PDF)

Funeral Rules Show Need to Reform SC Regulations (July 11, 2013) (PDF)

Encourage Your Local Government to Embrace Transparency (May 22, 2013) (PDF)

The Boston Bombings – What If It Happened Here? (April 26, 2013) (PDF)

State Comptroller General Helps Protect Your Wallet (April 12, 2013) (PDF)

Converting State Government to "Transparency 2.0" (April 4, 2013) (PDF)

Survey Says: Readers Value Community Newspapers (March 28, 2013) (PDF)

Consumers Could Squelch Credit Card Swipe Fees (March 1, 2013) (PDF)

SC Needs Stronger Freedom of Information Act (Feb. 19, 2013) (PDF)

State Should Support Its Military Community with Employment, Housing Legislation (Jan. 28, 2013) (PDF)

Payroll Tax Hike a Symptom of Runaway Federal Spending (Jan. 14, 2013) (PDF)

SC Colleges Should Consider Affordability (Dec. 17, 2012) (PDF)

Commonsense Needed to Avoid Fiscal Cliff (Dec. 7, 2012) (PDF)

Medal of Valor Honors SC Law Enforcement’s Bravest (Nov. 28, 2012) (PDF)

South Carolina – Working to Be the Most Military-Friendly State (Nov. 20, 2012) (PDF)

Data Breach Shows Need to Consolidate State’s Computing Systems (Nov. 7, 2012) (PDF)

Encourage Your Child, or Grandchild, to Join the SC State Guard (Oct. 31, 2012) (PDF)

Time for a Public Financial Code of Conduct in SC (Oct. 18, 2012) (PDF)

Inmate Labor a Genuine Benefit for Taxpayers, State (Oct. 10, 2012) (PDF)

State Guard Provides Valuable Service to SC (Oct. 3, 2012) (PDF)

State Guard Much More Than a Military Fraternity (Sep. 26, 2012) (PDF)