Gov. Haley asks agencies to step up collection efforts

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley wants South Carolina’s agencies to step up collections on the hundreds of millions of dollars owed in unpaid fees, fines, taxes and tuition.

Haley has directed her Cabinet agencies to maximize efforts. That includes enrolling in the Department of Revenue’s two debt-collection programs that are available to agencies and local governments.

One involves Revenue siphoning money from income tax refunds the debtor would otherwise get. The other program is more extensive, with recovery methods that include garnishing people’s wages and seizing money from bank accounts.

A report by Inspector General Patrick Maley says the state should make better use of its “own internal collection agency.”

His recommendations for Revenue include better marketing both programs and lowering its fees to agencies and local governments.