Chellis to buck voting trend?

COLUMBIA — Settling into his new office, state Treasurer Converse Chellis is preparing for his first votes on the Budget and Control Board, a system that Gov. Mark Sanford says he thinks is wasting millions of dollars.

The five-member board, with Chellis as its newest member and Sanford as its chairman, will meet Wednesday.

Beyond the agenda is the governor's desire to reform the board and the Legislature's reluctance to do so.

Whether Chellis will support reform or keep the status quo remains unclear.

The Budget and Control Board was established in 1950 but has become the state's central administrative agency, with its staff overseeing nearly $2 billion last year.

A recent report ordered by Sanford recommended changes that could save a projected $643 million in three years.

Many changes require board approval. That means Sanford will need a majority on board votes, which are likely to go in favor of the Legislature with Chellis in place.

Chellis, who served in the state House

representing the Summerville area from 1997 until earlier this month, was not an outspoken legislator. He selects his words carefully before speaking and is regarded by Republican leadership as very loyal.

During his tenure in politics, Chellis served as chairman of the House Rules Committee, the only Charleston-area House member to lead a committee this year.

Chellis was elected treasurer by a landslide legislative vote with bipartisan support across the state. He replaces Thomas Ravenel, who resigned last month after being indicted on a federal cocaine charge.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said Chellis is a "hometown guy" whom he's known since the 1980s as a solid Republican.

"Given the vote that he got, I think his recommendations will probably meet very favorable ears over here," McConnell said. "For the taxpayers, I think it would be a very good thing."

Talk in the Statehouse prior to Chellis' election was that he would vote in line with the other legislators on the board.

However, Chellis has pledged to be open-minded.

"I'm trying to do what's best for the state and not have a preconceived idea that A's wrong or B's wrong," he said. "I think they sent me up there to look at all sides of the issues."

Chellis, a certified public accountant with 30 years' experience, was elected Aug. 3 and immediately resigned his House seat. In his resignation letter, Chellis said the election was bittersweet but he was ready to take on the challenge and was humbled. His wife, Sharon, daughter, Tiffany, and son, Converse IV "Con," stood by his side as he was sworn in.

Rep. David Mack, D-North Charleston, said Chellis was ideal for the job.

"He has the integrity and character we desperately need after this last fiasco," Mack said in reference to Ravenel's highly publicized departure. "We have to send someone who sends a message that we are serious about correcting the problem we had."

Sanford endorsed Charleston County Council Chairman Tim Scott for treasurer. The governor said Scott would have been a qualified and reform-minded treasurer, and, because he is black, Scott also would have diversified state government.

Chellis, who is white, said he is not opposed to reform. Still, he said he believes the Budget and Control Board has served its purpose well.

Many say the government's structure is in the state's best interest because it leaves the power squarely in the hands of the 170 men and woman elected to the Legislature.

"I've always looked at the Budget and Control Board like a board of directors for a major corporation," Chellis said. "It gives stability to a system over time so there's no up and down changes from one executive officer to another."

Additionally, Dorchester County Council Chairman Larry Hargett said he and others hope Chellis also can bring attention to the county that's long felt neglected.

"He is a very honest man," Hargett said. "I have great confidence in what he'll do for our state and county."

The Budget and Control Board is expected to discuss a replacement for Henry White, who resigned as executive director about an hour before the vote to elect Chellis.

The governor's office said the board was planning to dismiss White, Sanford's former chief of staff, despite the high marks he had been given since he took the position in January.

White said in a statement that he had the opportunity to resume law practice.

Budget and Control Board member Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, said firing White "never crossed my mind." Chellis also said he had no intentions to force White out.

"It is absolutely not true," Chellis said the day he was elected. "I don't even know Henry White. I was going to meet with Henry. That was going to be the first thing I was going to do."

Reach Yvonne M. Wenger at ywenger@postandcourier.com or 803-799-9051.