GREEN BANK — Republican State Senate candidate Jack Reger called for increased government accountability and stronger auditing of public agencies during campaign remarks in Green Bank as he continues his bid for the District 11 seat.
Reger, who is running against incumbent Sen. Bill Hamilton (R-Upshur) and former Sen. Robert Karnes in the Republican primary, said state, county and local governments must better adhere to existing laws and policies.
“I want to ensure that West Virginia’s state government, county governments, and local governments are following the laws, regulations, and policies that have been established,” Reger said. “This is to ensure the citizens of West Virginia have a government that’s working for them.”
Reger also called for expanding the authority and resources of the state auditor’s office, saying it should be better equipped to conduct financial reviews across all levels of government.
“We need to empower the state auditor,” he said. “We need to give the state auditor the tools and the personnel needed and required to do adequate financial audits of every level of government.”
He said audits should include state agencies, county governments and local entities, including school systems.
Reger said stronger oversight would help ensure taxpayers receive services aligned with the money they contribute.
“We need to ensure that the taxpayers of West Virginia are receiving the services and all that is due them from their hard work and the taxes that they have to pay,” he said.
Reger is seeking the Republican nomination ahead of the May 12 primary election.
