This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Jan. 12, 2011 - New state auditor Tom Schweich, a Republican, had breakfast a few weeks ago with the state's top Democrat -- Gov. Jay Nixon -- as part of Schweich's effort to make clear that he doesn't plan to play politics with his new post.
"I am not going to be a partisan auditor. I will call them as I see them," he said.
Over breakfast, "I was mostly in a listening mode," Schweich said, adding that Nixon offered at length his thoughts "on where audits should be done."
While declining to provide details on their conversation, Schweich said the point of the meeting was to put their relationship on a professional footing. Schweich noted that he had not met the governor before.
"It was a really good breakfast," Schweich said.
Schweich, a lawyer and law professor in St. Louis, also has an extensive background in Washington. He won the auditor's seat on Nov. 2, after defeating incumbent Democrat Susan Montee as part of the GOP tidal wave.
Schweich has met with state Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, and plans to meet later today with state house Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville.
Schweich says he wants to have better communication with the legislature. Among other things, he asked about the prospects of increasing the auditor's budget. The office has the authority to fill 167 positions total, but currently has only 125 employees. Schweich argues that more auditors on staff could result in more savings for the financially strapped state.
Schweich says he also plans to look at existing non-staff spending in the office to see whether he could hire more auditors by saving money in other areas.
Schweich met with reporters Wednesday in the state Truman office building, which houses the state auditor's office. He plans to spend most of his time in Jefferson City but also will work in the auditor's satellite office in St. Louis.
A number of audits, begun under Montee, are either underway or should be released within weeks, Schweich said. They include the St. Louis Board of Elections, the city of Pacific, the Missouri Ethics Commission, the Highway Patrol and University City. Schweich said he'd announce his own list of discretionary audits in a few weeks.
