State audit finds tax money misspent

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — Millions of tax dollars were either misspent or poorly monitored last year, according to a report compiled by state Auditor Brian Sonntag.

He listed 13 examples, including subsidized health care for people who aren’t eligible, $1 million in satellite fees the state Horse Racing Commission failed to collect between 1999 and 2000, poor monitoring of prescription drugs at Western State Hospital and — for the 14th consecutive year — inadequate monitoring by the Washington State Ferries of the $100 million it collects from passengers each year.

Sonntag, an elected Democrat, told a Seattle newspaper this is the first time his office has lumped a year’s worth of routine audit results into one report on government accountability.

Reviewing them all at once puts them in better context, Sonntag said: "The only enforcement tool an auditor has is the public light of day."

Sonntag is lobbying for authority to audit agency performance as well as finances.

Last year, the Legislature gave Sonntag’s office $300,000 to conduct three performance audits as a pilot program, but Gov. Gary Locke vetoed the provision, saying there was no compelling reason to conduct the audits.

"Reports like this current audit report show just the opposite," Sonntag said. "Working with agencies to help them do their jobs better is a compelling reason."

Locke spokesman Pearse Edwards said the governor vetoed the audits last year because he felt they would duplicate work by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, which conducts performance audits at the request of the Legislature.

This year, the governor supports a bill that would enact a new approach to performance audits and includes a scoring system, Edwards said.

Agencies often respond positively to audits, seeing them as opportunities to improve rather than as bad report cards, Sonntag said.

The state Health Care Authority, for example, responded to findings that it had provided inadequate oversight to the state Basic Health Plan with assurances that it would begin annually reviewing the eligibility of every Basic Health Plan patient by the end of this year.

According to the audit, the authority did not verify income records, did not know how much it had been overpaid and allowed 37,000 subscribers to enroll, even though they did not provide sufficient proof of eligibility. That left more than 4,100 people on a waiting list.

"We take our responsibility for providing responsible stewardship of public funds very seriously, so we are very concerned about the gravity of the findings," said the authority’s administrator, Ida Zodrow.

The response by the state ferry system is also promising, Sonntag said, noting that the agency has shown more willingness this year to address shortcomings in how it monitors ferry fares.

Responses from other agencies to the findings were mixed, with some agencies questioning the accuracy of Sonntag’s audits.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

The new Crucible Brewing owners Johanna Watson-Andresen and Erik Andresen inside the south Everett brewery on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
South Everett brewery, set to close, finds lifeline in new owners

The husband and wife who bought Crucible Brewing went on some of their first dates there.

The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo council passes budget with deficit, hopes for new revenue

Proponents said safeguards were in place to make future changes. Detractors called it “irresponsible.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Lane Scott Phipps depicted with an AK-47 tattoo going down the side of his face. (Snohomish County Superior Court)
Man gets 28 years in Lynnwood kidnapping case

Prosecutors also alleged Lane Phipps shot at police officers, but a jury found him not guilty of first-degree assault charges.

The sun sets beyond the the Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library as a person returns some books on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘A brutal hit’: Everett library cuts will lead to reduced hours, staffing

The cuts come as the city plans to reduce the library’s budget by 12% in 2025.

People take photos of the lights surrounding the the fountain at the the entrance to the Tulalip Resort & Casino on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Record Tulalip holiday display lights up the night

The largest light display in Washington is free of charge and open through Jan. 12.

Water cascades down the Lower Falls near the Woody Trail at Wallace Falls State Park near Gold Bar on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. A nearly six mile round-trip to the park's Upper Falls offers hikers an array of vistas on a well maintained trail.
Wallace Falls closed due to bomb cyclone damage

Over 170 trees fell in last month’s storm. The park near Gold Bar is closed until further notice.

Neepaporn “A” Boungjaktha (Snohomish County)
Snohomish County executive director takes new gig with Port of Seattle

Neepaporn “A” Boungjaktha joined the county in 2022. Her last day will be Jan. 2.

Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest Senior Associate ESL Instructor James Wilcox, right, works on speaking and writing with Anfal Zaroug, 32, who is accompanied by her daughter Celia Hassen, 6 months, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
What will Trump’s immigration policy mean for Snohomish County?

The president-elect has vowed to ramp up deportations and limit legal immigration.

People walk into the Everett Library off of Hoyt Avenue on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How will new Everett library hours affect its programs?

This month, the two branches scaled back its hours in light of budget cuts stemming from a city deficit.

Glass recycling at Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Wine woes not yet affecting Snohomish County glass recycling

Ardagh Glass Packing permanently closed its Seattle factory, leaving recycling companies scrambling for a new glass buyer.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.