Expand auditor's reach!

Last week, State Representative Jason Murphy, (R-Guthrie), Chairman of the House Government Modernization Committee, said he plans to introduce a Joint Resolution in the next legislative session which would place a state question on the November 2012 ballot amending the State Constitution to allow for the State Auditor to have that authority.

“It is vital for the State Auditor to have the tools to thoroughly expose the inefficient and antiquated processes that are conducive to wasting taxpayer funds and corruption,” Murphey said. “Current policy subjects the ability of the Auditor to conduct performance audits to the whims of state politicians or the very bureaucrats who are being audited. This proposal will allow the Auditor to make the decision to audit based on need, not on political influence, funding or bureaucratic resistance.”

First, it seems perfectly logical the Oklahoma State Auditor should have the authority to audit any Oklahoma state agency, entity or organization that receives taxpayer money. The Auditor’s office should also be able to audit any group benefits from a state tax credit. Actually it is surprising only 75% of Oklahoma voters agreed with that premise. If the proposal to expand the scope of the auditor’s office reaches Oklahoma voters next year, it will pass overwhelmingly.

Second, it seems ridiculous that we have a system that allows state agencies to decide whether or not they want to be audited. Currently state agencies have ‘internal’ auditors who report to the agency head. That violates any general accepted accounting practice. An auditor must maintain independence (in fact and appearance) in all matters related to the audit.

Most privately held companies hire external audit firms to look at their financial records to receive an objective assessment. Public companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States are subject to the Sarbanes- Oxley Act (SOX) which imposes stringent requirements that those companies have ‘external’ auditors evaluate their internal controls and financial reporting. For state agencies to not be as accountable as publicly traded companies is ludicrous. Taxpayers have a right to know where and how their money is being spent.

Third, those critical of making the Auditor’s office more powerful believe it is growing government. That is true- expanding the role of the Auditor’s office will necessitate a larger staff and budget for the agency. But if we truly want accountability of our state tax dollars, this is the right thing to do. Agency heads who oppose expanding the Auditor’s scope and responsibility should explain their reasoning. It raises a red flag when a state agency head doesn’t want outside eyes looking at their books.

In years past, the Oklahoma State Auditor’s office has uncovered hundreds of millions of fraud and corruption in local and state government. In 1980, Tom Daxon was the first Republican to be elected State Auditor in Oklahoma. Daxon cooperated with the FBI in 1981 in its probe of Oklahoma county commissioners. By the end of the federal investigation in 1984, more than 200 people (mostly county commissioners) from 60 of Oklahoma's 77 counties had been convicted of crimes. Most were convicted of taking kickbacks paid by suppliers on orders for county road-building supplies. More than 70 sitting commissioners had to resign in connection with the probe. 69 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties had commissioners resign in the wake of the probe, and 13 counties lost all three of their commissioners in connection with the scandal. There are dozens of other examples of fraud and corruption the Auditor’s office- under both Republican and Democrat leadership- has uncovered through the years.

Expansion of the duties and authority of the Oklahoma State Auditor’s office is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It is a prudent common sense move that will insure Oklahoma tax dollars are being spent where and how they are supposed to be.

Steve Fair is a guest political analyst and commentator at SoonerPoll.com. Steve is Chairman of the 4th district of the Oklahoma Republican Party and the author of  the popular blog Fair and Biased.