On Feb. 9 The Herald ran an article titled “State audit finds tax money misspent.” This is something all taxpayers are encouraged to read. However, it was buried on Page B6.
On Feb. 12 it becomes front page news when Gov. Locke talks of a budget shortfall. What is being de-emphasized by The Herald disturbs me – as it should other citizens of this state.
Also on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. on Channel 9 there was a program called, “Talk to the Governor.” Not one of the callers mentioned this article or questioned the fact that millions of tax dollars have been misspent or poorly monitored and/or unaccounted for.
There are those out there who do not want the public to know of the casual manner in which public funds are handled.
When our public servants complain of a funds shortage and ask for more we should, in turn, demand better accountability for the money they already have. Citizens of this state should ask and vote for those who support performance audits and cost benefit analysis.
This state’s bureaucracy, like any organization not driven by competition, will never display the proper initiative to spend our money judiciously.
As long as we continue to give them all they ask for, the less respect they will have for taxpayer money and the less they will be inclined to increase the efficiency and accountability of our government.
Marysville
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