Really? $12.3M in Travel Expenses, for Just One Agency in One Year?

As South Carolina struggles to recover from the Great Recession, state agencies in recent years have increased spending on travel in and out of the Palmetto State.

A review by The Nerve of annual state travel reports by S.C. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom found that the total amount spent on travel increased from $61.9 million in fiscal 2009 to more than $69.6 million last fiscal year, which ended June 30 – a jump of more than $7.7 million, or 12.5 percent.

The totals include in-state and out-of-state conference registration fees; and travel, lodging and meal expenses for non-state employees under contract with state agencies. Expenditures paid from state, federal and “other” revenues, as listed in the annual state budget bill, are covered in the reports.

A total of 114 agencies, divisions and special state funds were included in Eckstrom’s report for fiscal 2013, which was released on Nov. 7.

In each of the last five fiscal years, Clemson University led all state agencies in travel spending, followed closely by the University of South Carolina. Clemson’s travel from fiscal 2009 through last fiscal year jumped by more than $2.5 million, or about 26 percent, to nearly $12.4 million.

USC’s travel spiked upward over the same period by nearly $2.9 million, or 32 percent, to about $11.8 million.

And those figures likely are conservative because they don’t include travel financed with university foundation funds or other private revenue sources. The reports, for example, name the top individual travelers for each agency, though Clemson’s and USC’s head football coaches and university presidents aren’t listed in those groups.

Gov. Nikki Haley didn’t make the top-traveler list for her office, though she travels extensively in and out of South Carolina. Her most recent quarterly campaign report filed with the State Ethics Commission, for example, lists nearly $6,000 in travel and accommodation expenses paid with campaign contributions.

The Nerve’s review found that the 10 agencies that spent the most on travel over the past five fiscal years accounted for 66 percent to 68 percent of the total spent by all agencies. Following is a list of the top-10 spenders for fiscal 2013:

• Clemson University – $12.36 million;
• University of South Carolina – $11.78 million;
• College of Charleston – $6.18 million;
• Medical University of South Carolina – $5.99 million;
• Department of Health and Environmental Control – $3.43 million;
• S.C. State University – $2.42 million;
• Judicial Department – $1.59 million;
• Winthrop University – $1.43 million;
• Coastal Carolina University – $1.26 million; and
• Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation – $1.25 million.

Of the top-10 spenders listed above, the College of Charleston recorded the biggest percentage increase over the five-year period – 80 percent – jumping $2.75 million from $3.43 million spent in fiscal 2009.

Read the full story at TheNerve.org.