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House revives plan to
conduct performance audits of state agencies
Washington’s House of
Representatives unanimously approved legislation today authorizing
regular performance audits of state agencies. House Bill 1053 passed the
House unanimously during the 2003 session, but failed to pass the
Senate.
Rep. Glenn Anderson, R-Fall City, has been a vocal advocate of
performance audits. He said the measure, which has been amended slightly
to gain support from the governor, would help improve efficiency in the
delivery of state services and, over time, help restore public trust in
state government.
"Fair, independent performance audits of state agencies will demonstrate
to citizens that we are serious about changing the way we do business in
Olympia," said Anderson. "This process can help state government achieve
greater efficiency, and from this effort, we can begin to restore public
confidence in government’s ability to address issues that really matter
to the people."
Anderson said a key element of the legislation is that it involves
citizens in the oversight process. Members of the public will serve on
an oversight board, along with nonvoting members from the state
Auditor’s Office, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee and
the governor’s Office of Financial Management. The legislation directs
the state auditor to contract with qualified independent evaluators.
Audit criteria may include such things as cost effectiveness of program
performance, effectiveness in achieving intended results, and the extent
to which programs duplicate or conflict with other related programs.
"Regular performance audits simply make sense in the course of doing
business. New technologies and changes in programs bring opportunities
for us to deliver services more effectively. We won’t know if government
is doing a good job unless we ask questions,” Anderson said.
Reviewed agencies would be responsible for taking corrective action on
the performance reviews and must submit periodic progress reports
detailing their actions towards resolution of the audit findings.
The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public
Information Officer - (360) 786-7252
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