In the audio above, you will hear two hours of a conversation with State Auditor Josh Gallion on KFYR radio.
This session, as has been the case for the last two sessions - constant legislative attacks on the office of auditor over the fact that he uses the office to protect taxpayers have taken center stage of the session.
What are the attacks?
HB 1508 is what I call a “fake fiscal conservative” bill. It seeks to limit the costs of audits to such a low level that they cannot happen.
In response to claims made on the floor of the House when HB 1508 passes, State Auditor Josh Gallion was forced to defend himself with a written Op-Ed stating that his office is not “laundering money” by doing its job under the rules set by the legislature - which requires local government and agencies to pay for the audits they are subject to.
HB 1508 also requires that the auditor be an auditor.
Like most elected officials, they are elected as managers of staff.
In fact, this requirement goes counter to the direction Republicans have been going on the issue of qualifications for elected officials.
The reason they did that, was because there simply were not enough Republicans with teaching certificates willing to run against then-Superintendent Wayne Sanstaed.
Now, when the legislature does not like the Auditor, they want to go the other direction and try to disqualify him from the office, after being elected by the voters- twice!
Just like when it comes to initiated measures, the legislature thinks it knows better than the people who elected them and the auditor!
I discussed this issue at length a few weeks ago on KFYR myself:
With all the problems in local government that the auditor has dug up, and the issues coming up here in Burleigh County, we need a better-funded and more empowered Auditor’s office. Not one that is diminished and always under attack.
If the legislature does not want the auditor charging so much, change the law, and give the auditor the budget to do the job.
Absent that, it is hard not to say there is a cover-up afoot.
Reference: Full Op-Ed from State Auditor Josh Gallion
The War On The Auditor's Office Heats Up