GREENBRIER COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – West Virginia Senator Mark Hunt and West Virginia Auditor Nominee made his initial visit to Greenbrier County on Oct. 3 to address the Greenbrier County Republican Club.
As many are not aware of the duties of the auditor, the Senator first addressed that topic saying that the most important duty is to write the checks to pay all bills and obligations of the state of West Virginia. The auditor must be sure that all bills are legitimate expenses before approving them and signing the checks. While the state treasurer is responsible for collecting all revenues and maintaining the state’s bank accounts, it is the auditor’s responsibility to monitor all branches of state government accounts and their expenditures. And to sign the checks.
Hunt hopes to introduce AI (artificial intelligence) to make this duty more efficient and to make it easier to audit all the county, local and municipal governments which is done on a rotating basis or at any time in response to complaints.
Hunt touted his experience in the House of Delegates and WV Senate committees in making him familiar with the demands of the office he seeks. He also noted that his first job after graduating from Georgetown Law School was counsel to the WV Auditor with responsibility for all divisions of that office. He noted that while his opponent in this election has experience in the auditing division of the office it does not prepare one for managing all the other divisions.
Questioned about being elected first as a Democrat and later switching parties, he responded that he registered as a Democrat at 18 years old but that the party orientation has changed to the point that he was an outlier in the legislature often voting against Democrat bills and being punished for his votes by Democrat leadership. He states he is now quite comfortable with the Republican Party leadership and its ideology as it fits his opposition to late-term abortion, transgender surgery on children, fiscal responsibility and several other controversial areas.
The Senator answered questions about the current special session and said he does not expect the Legislature to pass further personal income tax reductions as pushed by the governor in this session,. In our current state revenue status, he feels that we would risk having to go back later and increase personal income tax in the future, an idea also expressed by Senate leadership.
Senator Hunt stayed for the remainder of the regular Club meeting and visited with attendees answering questions at some length. His appearence and ideas were appreciated by all in attendance.