Holmquist applauds veto of Democrats’ raid on performance audits account

May 20, 2009

OLYMPIA… The governor yesterday used a budget veto to restore $29 million raided by majority legislative Democrats from the state auditor's dedicated performance audit account. Sen. Janéa Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, applauded the decision, saying it reflected the will of the voters and could save the state millions of taxpayer dollars. 

“The people spoke clearly when they passed I-900 that funding for performance audits would not depend on the governor or the Legislature,” said Holmquist. “The Democrat majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives raided the performance audit account and severely restricted the auditor’s ability to perform the job the people gave him to do. I am glad the governor did the right thing by restoring these crucial funds.” 

The state auditor's office is authorized to do performance audits under Initiative 900, passed in 2005. The initiative also established an account to fund the audits, using a dedicated portion of 0.16 percent of the state sales tax.  

“Performance audits have cost taxpayers 15 million dollars but have already identified more than four billion dollars in savings to the taxpayers,” said Holmquist. “Instead of cutting the legs out from under the auditor, the Legislature should be implementing the savings his office has identified.”  

During Senate debate on the budget, Holmquist offered an amendment to honor the will of the people and restore funding for performance audits. The amendment was defeated by the Democrat majority. 

“We offered Democrats a revenue-neutral way to restore funding for performance audits, and they rejected it,” said Holmquist. “Vetoing the transfer was the only good option left.” 

With the budget still on the governor’s desk waiting to be signed, voices across the state began calling for her to restore funding for performance audits with her veto pen. Senate Republicans, policy organizations, and many of the state’s newspaper editorial boards joined with state auditor Brian Sonntag in calling for the veto of the funds transfer. 

“We can now move ahead in our effort to help bring about real reform to state government programs, and at the same time honor our commitment to the citizens of the state who gave us performance audit responsibility,” said Sonntag, according to one report. 

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For more information contact Booker Stallworth
at (360) 786-7536 or stallworth.booker@leg.wa.gov.