Don't hobble the state auditor
Update: since this bill failed to pass through a House committee, it has failed the funnel and will not be moving forward this legislative session. Thank you to those who communicated with your legislators and those who came to the capitol to voice your objections during the subcommittee. Also thanks to the legislators who opposed the bill.
A bill - SF2311 - has moved to the Iowa House of Representatives that would allow a state agency or department to select how its finances would be audited - either having the state auditor perform the work or having an outside CPA audit the books. This bill has already passed the Senate.
The Sierra Club opposes SF2311.
Role of the state auditor
Voters elect the state auditor to audit the finances of the state agencies and departments. By auditing the finances of the state, the auditor provides oversight and accountability.
The auditor needs to be able to flag when state agencies and departments are caught mishandling or misappropriating money. Likewise, the auditor needs to be able to flag when individual employees embezzle money and needs to initiate appropriate steps in the legal system. The auditor needs to be tough on corruption. The auditor needs to be able to respond to whistleblowers.
It is up to the auditor to look at the books and ask questions. It is up to the state agency to comply with the requests from the auditor, no matter how embarrassing the questions may be to the heads of state government.
SF2311 has several flaws:
- The state agencies and departments should not be allowed to decide how their books are being audited - that decision should rest with the state auditor.
- If the state auditor needs extra labor to perform audits, it should be a decision made by the state auditor and not by the state agency or department.
- The state auditor should retain supervision over all audits of state agencies and departments.
Ask your state representative to oppose SF2311.
