Meeting Public Comments

Vicki Aden

I am opposed to this bill. Auditor independence is an essential element for the proper oversight of public funds. This bill jeopardizes the auditor's independence in performing an audit. Read the letter from the National State Auditor's Association, signed by many Republican state auditors, to take into account the impact this bill will have on possible loss of federal grant funds as well as a negative impact to the state bond rating. This bill handcuffs the Auditor's office to only find waste, fraud and abuse when the people responsible for it agree. Is this really the way to safeguard taxpayer money? Please vote NO on this legislation.

Diane Duncan-Goldsmith

Please vote no on SF 478.It is difficult to understand why Republican legislators have introduced SF 478 an Act relating to the operation of state government, including 1 the commencement of audits, information made available to 2 the auditor of state, and disputes between governmental 3 agencies. Multiple organizations and individuals have raised serious concerns regarding the impact of this legislation. Listed below are just a few examples of concerns which have been raised.AnnMarie Hogan, a retired city auditor and member of the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) advocacy committee, made the point state legislators typically provide power to the state auditor instead of taking away powers such as SF 478 does. Its usually the other way around, and auditors will get legislation passed that enhances their independence and effectiveness. This one just destroys it. They might just as well have gotten rid of the state auditors office.Dave Walker, former U.S. comptroller general stated The mechanism that the bill provides for settling disputes could work, but the courts have to be available if only as a last resort.John Geragosian, Connecticut state auditor and president of the National State Auditors Association (NSAA) voiced serious concerns regarding the impact this bill could have as follows: Particularly hazardous to the state is the risk that if the auditor isnt comfortable that the information, he has is correctand he is unable to access additional information from a state agency"he may have to issue a qualified opinion on the states financial statements. That could hurt the states bond ratings and in turn cost the states taxpayers more money because theyd be paying a higher rate for the money theyre borrowing. There is also a concern this bill could cut off federal funds to the state. The federal government wants the states to do oversight and it tells us to make determinations using these records.The Yellow Book, a publication from the Government Accountability Office, spells out the requirements for entities that receive government awards. It calls for auditor independence including the absence of circumstances that would cause a reasonable and informed third party to reasonably conclude that the integrity, objectivity or professional skepticism of an audit organization had been compromised.David M. Walker, Former U.S. Comptroller General and head of the GAO, 19982008, wrote I have reviewed Iowa State Senate File #478. It would effectively undercut the independence ofand nonpartisan approach needed for the Iowa state auditors office to be fully effective. Inaddition, certain provisions within the File are also inconsistent with Generally AcceptedGovernment Auditing Standards (GAGAS) as promulgated by the U.S. GovernmentAccountability Office (GAO)The general consensus from the many experts who have expressed concern about SF478 is any action which results in impairing auditor independence risks impairing the public interest.