Speaking of Tim Eyman, the initiative he’s shilling for the 2005 season would implement performance audits, which might actually be a great idea, if the Legislature hadn’t already done so. (And if Tim hadn’t written his initiative so stupidly. As usual.)
WA State Auditor Brian Sonntag’s office has already put up a web page dedicated to explaining the new legislation, and allowing citizens to follow along with its progress. Sonntag promises to enable citizen input via the web page, but if you really want to get involved, they have posted an application form with which you can apply to join the Citizen Advisory Board yourself.
My suggestion to all you “waste, fraud, and abuse” righties out there is to put your money where your mouth is, and apply for the Board.
Goldy,
If you think all that is necessary to do meaningful audits is putting up a web page, you are rather gullible.
The question, which usually is always the question with Timmy E., is where the heck is the money for all these audits supposed to come from, especially for the local districts? Why strip local districts of more money to see if they are spending money wisely? Where is the logic in that? Also, why is it a good idea to create more bureaucracy to oversee bureaucracy? Again, it all comes down to electing responsible representatives; but Timmy isn’t interested in that (no money to be made).
It is unfortunate the LEFTISTS believe all performance audits are equal. They are not. The SCOPE of those audits must be clearly defined. You want to see worthless audits?? JLARC did several audits of L*I…guess how much was actually successfully implemented?
We need a Performance Audit law with TEETH in it Goldy. Except you know that don’t you. All you want is Performance Audit Charade! So the LEFTIST PINHEADS can trot around some 1000-page meaningless document….or perhaps a document with good ideas that results in mere lip service and business as usual.
There is one other thing that would really, really help though…more than any audit.
And that is GET THAT STUPIS BITCH OUT OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AND LET ROSSI COME IN AND CLEAN HOUSE GETTING ALL THE 20-YEAR LEFTIST BUREAUCRATS OUTTA THERE!!
That’s about it.
Cyncial~
Stupis is as stupis does. Time for your meds, cutie.
How can I get on the conservative gravy train? Someone is paying big bucks for all this stupid crap.
a job for those who seem to take great pleasure in trolling through this site despoiling discourse for the fun of it:
Public Info. Officer – Olympia
Wash. House of Representatives Republican Caucus
Experienced communications pro needed for PR planning,
media relations, and outreach for Republican reps. Strong
writing and people skills a must. Bachelor’s degree and 3 yrs
experience in PR/media req. $34k-$50k/yr. DOE. EOE.
Letter, resume, references, and writing samples by May 27 to: Dir., House Republican Media Services, B-5 John L. O’Brien Building, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600. Or via e-mail to rothlin_jo@leg.wa.gov
The Performance Audits that Gregoire and the Dems passed are a complete Joke! The Governor selects 7 of the people on this board – The other 3 are government workers. A total waste of time and taxpayer money! Kind of like Ron Sims selecting all of the Election reform group!
Hello everyone. If you want a real discussion on the performance audits issue, visit:http://www.usefulwork.com/blog.....ry_id=4388, and read the whole blog conversation. Not only is it level-headed but it looks at the real reason the Republicans despise the legislature and the lack of teeth in this bill Goldy. Butt only you would think this bill has merit, because your good friends conceived it, wrote it, and passed it over objections from my side!!!
NUFF SAID!!!!
Pudster
PoodlePiss stamps his feet, blows out his cheeks and starts to turn red “NUFF SAID!!!!”
Hey Armageddon, Golly I was writing this sitting down, south of your favorite street in San Francisco, Castle Street, where they troll for your type. You know, the ones with the enlarged back door!!! Oh yeah, you are already full of hot air-head. Pssst goes the wind sound as he/she/it takes their finger out of their mouth. Why don’t you just blow yourself up?
Pudster
Pudster, I am so glad you are posting again, you are so damned amusing!
Pudster–
These LEFTIST PINHEADS get so excited when they can pretend they desire and create some accountability. Kind of like a bunch of little yip-yip dogs that piddle all over the place.
Sonntag is a decent State Auditor but knows this is merely “window-dressing” by his fellow Dems. The devil, as always, is in the detail and this will prove to be yet another monumental waste of time & money with no end product of any value to taxpayers. IT’S A BEAUTY CONTEST FOR UGLY LEFTIST PINHEAD BUREAUCRATS TO VALIDATE THEMSELVES TO EACH OTHER AND THE PUBLIC!!! Our problem is not only performance…but is the so-called “service” even necessary and if so at what level??
Just another ugly, stinking layer of incompetent bureaucratic goo.
If they were really serious they would insist on a truly bi-partisan effort manned by competent Industrial Engineers, CFO-types etc. not folks that are part of the problem and political apologists!
Comment on 12, how about a little accountability for (1) a botched war, (2) torture, (3) massive deficits, (4) corporate corruption, (5) appointing extremist nuts to federal courts, (6) bribing journalists? Yes, I’d love to see some accountability — namely, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and DeLay in jail!
Patrick@13–
Deflect, Deflect, Deflect…the favorite Seattle LEFTIST PINHEAD tactic loser.
What does your comment have to do with Washington Performance Audits???
NOTHING!
Blame Bush for everything shitferbrains…even Gregoire’s incompetence!
Armageddon, I am glad you got a good laugh, as I see you got it, even from down here south of San Francisco.
Patrick, sorry you believe in subterfuge. Everybody in WA, DC is guilty of something. What does this have to do with performance audits? Until you guys say McDermott needs to come to justice, I’ll pass on anything DeLay has done. It is a known fact McDimwitt broke laws, but the jury is still out on DeLay. Don’t look for the beam in my eye when the sequoia trunk is in your eye.
Pudster
Thanks, I’ll sign and get signatures for REAL PERFORMANCE AUDITS I900. This show and Tell has 7 of the people apointed by the governor, the others all Govt Workers. Wow talk about almost as useless as Ron Sim’s Election review council. This is what is know in the business the Fox gaurding the Hen House. I won’t wait for any unexpected results from either of these commmittee’s!
Heading to Portland to visit relatives and do some Shopping! :)
Mr. Cynical @ 12
Glad to see you have your sense of humor going at full tilt tonight.
“The devil, as always, is in the detail and this will prove to be yet another monumental waste of time & money with no end product of any value to taxpayers. . . . If they were really serious they would insist on a truly bi-partisan effort manned by competent Industrial Engineers, CFO-types etc. not folks that are part of the problem and political apologists! “
Le’see on the one hand, I could support a performance audit package developed by an amateur (and largely unsuccessful) initiative writer who sells watches to fraternities for his day job. The same person who has had minor ethical lapses when telling his supporters that he doesn’t profit from his initiative efforts. The same person who has no real accountability to the people of the state.
Or, on the other hand, I can go with a performance audit package developed by a professional deliberative body that was elected by, and therefore accountable to, the people of this state. The same state that is ranked by the http://www.governor.wa.gov/new.....newsType=1’>Pew Charitable Trust as third-best in the nation for management of state government. The very same performance audit package developed by and passed in the house with bipartisan support (75 to 22).
Hmmmm. . . this is a really tough call. :-)
(p.s. Industrial engineers? WTF?)
Oops. . . Word changed the quote characters on me. The correct link is:
http://www.governor.wa.gov/new.....newsType=1
Ask Brian Sonntag if the performance audit package passed has any teeth or consequences? When he tells you no, ask why not. Be prepared to sit down because you will be riveted to the chair.
So why should care about if Tim has problems? If I900 does the real job that your legislature didn’t want to do because it would show wasteful spending. You don’t care about McDimwitt and he was there doing his stink way before Eyman.
Pudster
PuddyBuddy “It is a known fact McDimwitt broke laws, but the jury is still out on DeLay.”
Explain please.
Puddy @
”Ask Brian Sonntag if the performance audit package passed has any teeth or consequences? When he tells you no, ask why not. Be prepared to sit down because you will be riveted to the chair.”
Gee. . . I was not aware that Sonntag was anything but enthusiastic about HB 1064. Perhaps you could point me to something suggesting otherwise. He sounds positive in the joint statement given here.
”So why should care about if Tim has problems?”
Oh. . . I don’t know. It just seems that the person trying to push integrity in the state government ought to have a little personal integrity. Oh. . . that and because Tim has botched almost every initiative he has promoted. Oh, and finally, because Tim has no concept of fiscal responsibility—he can puke up any old initiative, convince people they are getting something for nothing, and then he doesn’t have to worry about actually funding the result. I think you ought to care plenty about that.
”If I900 does the real job that your legislature didn’t want to do because it would show wasteful spending.”
What kind of conspiracy-theory bullshit is that? Are you trying to suggest that the legislature WANTS to waste money? The motivation behind both I900 and HB 1064 are identical. I900, from what I can tell, is excessively expensive, and there doesn’t seem to be any real benefits. HB 1064 was written by the folks who are elected to do that job and are accountable to the people for doing it right.
Donnageddon @ 20: Representative for Life McDermott’s role in transmitting the tapped call between Republican House leaders a few year back, see story here. Don’t know if it’s a crime, but he sure can’t throw stones in his glass house.
Puddy et al: I am opposed to I900, because it will force local districts to somehow “find” money for audits. Where is this money supposed to come from? Why do we want to require small districts, already strapped for money, to spend money they don’t have to send to Olympia to get a stamp of approval? Who is more accountable, some auditor in Olympia or your local Mayor/Council/Board? Why complain about the size of state government, yet want to explode the auditors office staffing? If it was just the state, I’d be more friendly, but I’m sorry, the folks in Whitman County don’t need Olympia looking over their shoulder. I’m a Republican, what happened to local control?
Jon @ 20 I am familiar with the accusations against McDermott, But since Poodle made such a dramatic claim, I wanted to hear his explanation for his claim.
Thank you anyway. :)
Above should read “Jon @ 22” I apologize for any confusion.
Hey guys… really… why bother? You’re just not putting any work in this. Did you critics bother to go to the Auditor’s website and read the details about this bill? Did you bother to read Brian Sonntag’s statements? Huh? Did ya?
Well you know what, I’ve actually talked to Brian Sonntag, and he likes this legislation. He probably could have done without the Citizen’s Advisory Board… but it is just that… advisory. In the end, he’ll be the one running the show.
And while we’re on the subject… how many of you have bothered to read I-900, huh? I mean, other than me. And how many of you have asked Brian Sonntag what he thinks of I-900? Any of you? I didn’t think so.
So let me ask you this… if Tim Eyman thinks so highly of Brian Sonntag that he writes an initiative that puts him in control of performance audits… don’t you think he should listen to Sonntag when he says that I-900 is overkill? Huh? And don’t you think maybe he should take Sonntag seriously when his office estimates it will cost $90 million per biennium to implement I-900… (the initiative only allocates about $20 million.)
Goldy, are you trying to keep us on topic?
Kill buzz.
Armageddon, I do work for a living, not always trolling this blog. Since you asked here goes. It is illegal to wiretap, without a court order, plain and simple. Butt when did anyone on your side follow the law? The Florida couple broke the law. How they knew to give it to McDimwitt, I still can’t fathom that one. McDimwitt decides to turn the tapes to your favorite newspaper the New York Slimes. Everyone knows those were the reporters, so why did the Puke-Indigestioner not tell it as we all know it? Judge places judgment against McDimwitt now for $600,000. Wow, I didn’t know it was that much. Maybe he’ll contact Cant-Vote-Well for monetary help. Maybe we’ll see McDimwitt on an off ramp with his sign, “Congressman needs help”.
Butt Armageddon :) did you know about this? probably not, YOU CLAIM TO BE WELL READ BUTT…
http://www.freerepublic.com/fo.....3913/posts
Excerpt:”The revelation that on the eve of war, a pro-Baghdad U.S. congressman was accepting cash from a Saddam ally was first reported in this week’s Weekly Standard.
The magazine said that the McDermott bombshell was uncovered amidst a treasure trove of Ba’ath Party documents discovered by coalition forces after the collapse of Saddam’s government. Other documents in the same find indicated that George Galloway, a pro-Saddam member of Britain’s Parliament, may have accepted millions of dollars in payments from Baghdad.”
Pudster
Goldy:
Sorry for taking so long to answer you. Writing a PowerPoint presentation and it takes time. Regarding I900, yeah,
http://www.secstate.wa.gov/ele...../i900.aspx
so, what are you saying? I am south of San Francisco. I will call Brian Sonntag when I get back to WA State, as I am working down here. I want to understand his $90 million take. Is he of the same party (yours) who predicted doom and gloom when I695 passed, or I601? At least Tim Eyman does respect Brian to thoroughly do the job.
Is this the $90MM section: These performance audits shall be conducted in accordance with the United States general accounting office government auditing standards. The scope for each performance audit shall not be limited and shall include nine specific elements: (1) identification of cost savings; (2) identification of services that can be reduced or eliminated; (3) identification of programs or services that can be transferred to the private sector; (4) analysis of gaps or overlaps in programs or services and recommendations to correct gaps or overlaps; (5) feasibility of pooling information technology systems within the department; (6) analysis of the roles and functions of the department, and recommendations to change or eliminate departmental roles or functions; (7) recommendations for statutory or regulatory changes that may be necessary for the department to properly carry out its functions; (8) analysis of departmental performance data, performance measures, and self-assessment systems; and (9) identification of best practices.
Or, Is this the $90MM section:The state auditor may, at any time, conduct a performance audit to determine not only the efficiency, but also the effectiveness, of any government agency, account, or program. No legislative body, officeholder, or employee may impede or restrict the authority or the actions of the state auditor to conduct independent, comprehensive performance audits. To the greatest extent possible, the state auditor shall instruct and advise the appropriate governmental body on a step-by-step remedy to whatever ineffectiveness and inefficiency is discovered in the audited entity. It just may cost $90MM to stop their favorite pork projects from getting discovered.
Let me say for the record, I read some of the road projects budget passed by the Senate and there is Pork, Pork, Pork, which I am against. Bush said $256 bILLION, EXACTLY the federal gas tax revenues. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/.....8;refer=us
But at least the Oregon Democrapic senator Wyden brings home the pork for Oregon. What did Cant-Vote-Well or what’s her name bring home for us? I just can’t seem to find it on the Internet. http://www.newsshadycove.com/a.....8;cp=11017
Now back to our regularly scheduled program. Or, Is this the $90MM section: (6) The state auditor shall:
(a) Report to the legislature the results of current post audits that have been made of the financial transactions of each agency; to this end the auditor may, in the auditor’s discretion, examine the books and accounts of any agency,
official, or employee charged with the receipt, custody, or safekeeping of public funds. Where feasible in conducting examinations, the auditor shall utilize data and findings from the internal control system prescribed by the office of financial management. The current post audit of each agency may
include a section on recommendations to the legislature as provided in (c) of this subsection.
Or maybe this is the $90MM section: (4) In addition, the director of financial management, as agent of the governor,
shall:
(a) Develop and maintain a system of internal controls and internal audits comprising methods and procedures to be adopted by each agency that will safeguard its assets, check the accuracy and reliability of its accounting data, promote operational efficiency, and encourage adherence to prescribed managerial policies for accounting and financial controls. The system developed by the director shall include criteria for determining the scope and comprehensiveness of internal controls required by classes of agencies, depending on the level of resources at risk.
Each agency head or authorized designee shall be assigned the responsibility and authority for establishing and maintaining internal audits following the standards of internal auditing of the institute of internal auditors;
(b) Make surveys and analyses of agencies with the object of determining better methods and increased effectiveness in the use of manpower and materials; and the director shall authorize expenditures for employee training to the end that the state may benefit from training facilities made available to state
employees;
(c) Establish policies for allowing the contracting of child care services;
(d) Report to the governor with regard to duplication of effort or lack of coordination among agencies;
It’s got to be 4(d), when they find all that duplication, it will cost us $90MM to get rid of it. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
So I read it and I think it’s a fine piece of potential legislation!
Good night Goldy!!!
Pudster
Thank you PuddyBuddy, You have made my night complete. You are a treasure!
So the righties want performance audits, we give em performance audits, but now the righties say – YOUR PERFORMANCE AUDITORS AREN’T MEAN ENOUGH – so next, they want performance auditors who will EXECUTE those wasteful government employees – will that be enough? NO! Then the righties will complain that the execution was TOO EASY. WE SHOULD HAVE “KILT” THEM IN A WAY THAT HURT MORE!
On a more serious note: (That’s a cue for you knuckle-dragging George Monkey Face Bush supporters to tune out…) I for one think performance audits may be a good idea. Let’s start with the state prison system….one of the righties’ favorite “programs.” My guess is we’ll find more “waste, fraud and abuse” there than all other state programs combined!
Armageddon, I hope you slept well knowing I did my homework on Dim McDimwitt and the Performance Audits. Still waiting for that pithy comment about McDimwitt accepting $$$ from Saddam’s buddy. What? “Cat”erwauling got your tongue this morning? Everytime I am around San Francisco, I think of Armageddon looking over their shoulder when he/she/it bends over!!!!
Scott, I agree, lets start somewhere. If the prison system stinks, lets fix it. I have no problem with your desire to investigate teh prison system first. Then we’ll start with education, roads, giving unions a pay raise before the non-union people and why does the software change cost as much as the savings, etc. I applaud your candor.
BTW, how did you know about my knuckle-dragging? I guess your webbed feet and hands gave it away?
Good morning Goldy.
Pudster
I see KOMO’s Ken Schram blasted KVI’s “maliciously mischievous duo,” John Carlson and Kirby Wilbur, for pushing the initiative to repeal the gas tax. He says Carlson and Wilbur “obviously have too much time on their hands” and points out, “Just goes to show, “You can be sincere, and still be stupid.” (Where Carlson and Wilbur are concerned, I think that applies to a good deal more than the gas tax.) Read Schram’s entire editorial at http://www.komotv.com/stories/36888.htm
Where in HB 1064 is the auditor authorized to establish audit scope? If you can find it please let me know. Based on the following section of the bill, it is clear the “advisory” board is in charge, especially since the auditor is a non-voting member of the “advisory” board.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 A new section is added to chapter 43.09 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The board and the state auditor shall collaborate with the joint legislative audit and review committee regarding performance audits of state government.
(a) The board shall establish criteria for performance audits consistent with the criteria and standards followed by the joint legislative audit and review committee. This criteria shall include, at a minimum, the auditing standards of the United States government accountability office, as well as legislative mandates and performance objectives established by state agencies and the legislature. Mandates include, but are not limited to, agency strategies, timelines, program objectives, and mission and goals as required in RCW 43.88.090.
(b) Using the criteria developed in (a) of this subsection, the state auditor shall contract for a statewide performance review to be completed as expeditiously as possible as a preliminary to a draft work plan for conducting performance audits. The board and the state auditor shall develop a schedule and common methodology for conducting these reviews. The purpose of these performance reviews is to identify those agencies, programs, functions, or activities most likely to benefit from performance audits and to identify likely areas warranting early review, taking into account prior performance audits, if any, and prior fiscal audits.
(c) The board and the state auditor shall develop the draft work plan for performance audits based on input from citizens, state employees, including front-line employees, state managers, chairs and ranking members of appropriate legislative committees, the joint legislative audit and review committee, public officials, and others. The draft work plan may include a list of agencies, programs, or systems to be audited on a timeline decided by the board and the state auditor based on a number of factors including risk, importance, and citizen concerns. When putting together the draft work plan, there should be consideration of all audits and reports already required. On average, audits shall be designed to be completed as expeditiously as possible.
(d) Before adopting the final work plan, the board shall consult with the legislative auditor and other appropriate oversight and audit entities to coordinate work plans and avoid duplication of effort in their planned performance audits of state government agencies. The board shall defer to the joint legislative audit and review committee work plan if a similar audit is included on both work plans for auditing.
Puddy;
Lets see who donates to who? which is more scary.
$5,000 to an anti war candidate, from someone who didn’t want war in their country.
Or Powerful Business group buying Judges on Benches.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/.....rts11.html
The state’s powerful building industry has given state Supreme Court candidate Jim Johnson $95,000 in his bid for the high court — and could give him tens of thousands of dollars more in the race’s final weeks because there are almost no contribution limits for court races.
Good afternoon Danw @34. You completely missed the point. McDimwitt took money from the enemy, and McDimwitt took the money for something McDimwitt did wrong, transmitting illegal phone taps. Double whammy. I thought taking money from foreign nationals got Al Gore in trouble as VP. How does Jim Johnson’s receipt of monies from the BIAW compare, as apples to apples? I am using an Armegeddon argument today!!!
Jason @33 – I didn’t think that was the $90MM price tag Brian Sonntag was describing, but it’s another great point. Maybe being the auditor in charge is too much for him so he likes HB1064.
Pudster
McDimwitt is also the the one with the most lobbyist sponsored travel time under his belt in the Washington Delegation. He weighs in at $141,281.
Goldy, why is McDimwitt one of your main democrapic heroes? I surmise that you are a much smarter individual than this, since I don’t know you personally!!!! I await the left side trolls dissemination tricks and tactics.
Pudster
bmw rulezzz!
Hi! What you do today by evening?