State Auditor Dave Boliek was sworn in Wednesday, and as he promised in his campaign, got right to work.
After his election, Boleik told Carolina Journal that the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the first agency in his crosshairs.
“We’re going to start day one with a comprehensive audit of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and I’m not backing off that,” Boliek told the Carolina Journal after he won the election. “I think the people of North Carolina deserve a well-functioning, efficient DMV. It hasn’t been addressed in many, many years. Because of that, I will conduct a comprehensive financial and economic efficiency audit of the DMV, and we will come up with some solid recommendations to the legislature and the governor’s office on how to make that agency work better for the people.”
The state auditor is responsible for reviewing how tax dollars are spent, whether or not state agencies are run efficiently, and investigating consumer complaints against state departments. It is one of the most powerful offices in North Carolina’s government.
The Republican Boleik defeated Democrat incumbent appointee Jessica Holmes, who was appointed to finish Beth Woods’ term when she resigned in 2023. Woods enjoyed bipartisan support in elections and the legislature until she was involved in a hit and run after a Christmas party in Raleigh in 2023.
Boleik has also vowed not to allow the Hurricane Helene relief efforts to become as poorly managed as relief efforts by the N.C. Office of Resilience and Recovery (NCORR) in the wake of hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Hundreds of homes have still not been replaced or repaired under NCORR, which is more than $200 million over budget.
The auditor cautioned Gov. Josh Stein Thursday within hours of Stein’s announcement of five executive orders promising lessening of regulations, more funding and a new version of NCORR strictly for western North Carolina.
Stein’s first two executive orders temporarily waive procurement regulations to increase the supply of temporary housing in western North Carolina and supply state funds to accelerate the repair of private roads and bridges necessary to access.
“Winter is here in western North Carolina, and we must act quickly to get people in temporary housing, repair private roads and bridges, and keep people safe,” said Gov. Stein in a press release. Stein said the state will provide 1,000 emergency trailers for displaced families, with the Federal emergency Management Administration (FEMA) reimburising the state for the entire cost.
A press release from Stein’s office said both executive orders received the support of the Council of State. In his own statement, Boliek called for aid to be provided for western counties, but cautioned that the money must be used wisely.
“You and I agree that there is much that needs to be done in Western North Carolina, and I trust recovery will remain a priority throughout your tenure,” Boliek told Stein in a press release. “That said, we intend to hold your office accountable… I will be instructing my office to account for every dollar that is spent in fulfillment of these orders, and to report on the effectiveness and efficiency of these orders.”
Boliek also stated that the executive orders would be closely examined for accountability to the taxpayers, with an emphasis on avoiding the mistakes tat continue to plague NCORR.
Stein and Boleik are starting off their terms in a lawsuit. Former Gov. Roy Cooper and then-governor-elect Stein are suing the General Assembly over provisions in a new law that strips the governor’s office of its authority to appoint state and local elections board chairs. That responsibility is shifted to the office of the state auditor.
Be the first to comment