Seale says combining two posts would save $1.5 million

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 | 9:46 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Eliminating the elective offices of state treasurer and controller and replacing them with a secretary of finance will save $1.5 million, Assemblyman Bob Seale, a former state treasurer, said.

Seale, R-Henderson, appeared before the Senate Legislative Operations & Elections Committee on Tuesday to push Assembly Joint Resolution 3 that he said would lead to elimination of the jobs.

He rejected the claim by the opposition that the proposal would eliminate the checks and balances system to protect the state's money. Under the present system, he said, there have been two embezzlements, the last one in the 1930s.

But Seale ran into some skepticism from committee members.

Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, said he didn't see a duplication of services that would result in the savings. Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, said it appears there would be the same number of staff, even combining the offices.

The committee did not take vote on AJR3.

Seale, who said he proposed consolidation during his two terms as state treasurer, said private industry has a chief financial officer to oversee the finances.

Seale said the change would create a secretary of finance and a deputy controller and deputy treasurer.

Teresa Moiola and Kim Huys, both from the state controller's office, testified in opposition. Moiola said Seale had little understanding of the positions and the staff makeup. She suggested the proposed savings were unsubstantiated.

Moiola said the bill takes away the right of the public to vote for an elective official.

The resolution would have to be approved by this session and the 2007 Legislature and then ratified in the 2008 election. It would not take effect until January 2011.