Additional Comments

AG Christine Gregoire(D), Candidate for Governor
NO*
Additional comment:

"I wholeheartedly support the use of audits. In fact, as Attorney General, I have used AGMAP—Attorney General Management Accountability Project—to track dollars and manage the priorities of the Attorney General’s office in all its activities. As governor, I want to expand this exciting technology throughout the entire state government.

However, I respectfully decline to sign this pledge from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Among the positions ALEC has advocated are efforts to roll back civil rights, eliminate state minimum wage laws and oppose environmental protections. I do not believe that this is the right direction for Washington. Since I do not support ALEC’s goals and philosophies, I cannot sign my name in support of ALEC. Nevertheless, I thank you for this opportunity to reiterate my support of audits and the AGMAP technology."

Rep. Gary Alexander (R), District 20, Position 2
NO*
Additional Comments:

"Although Rep Alexander is a firm believer in performance audits for agencies and has sponsored legislation in favor of them, as a general rule he does not sign pledges."

Rep. Sam Hunt (D), District 22, Position 2
NO*
Additional Comments:

"Talk to the Senate Republicans about this. The House Democrats (with many House Republicans) keep passing this legislation only to see it ignored by the Senate Republicans."

Sen.-Elect Phil Rockefeller (D), District 23
NO*
Additional Comments:

"I do strongly support the conduct of performance audits throughout all of state government, and have done so consistently since my first campaign for the House in 1996.  As a House member the past six years, it's been my privilege to serve on the Joint Legislative & Audit Review Committee (JLARC), which as you and EFF's executive director, Bob Williams, should know, is carrying out the performance audit function entrusted to it by law, and doing so very effectively.  I currently serve as Vice Chair of JLARC, having served out the term of Chair following the retirement of then-Chair Val Ogden from the House in 2003, prior to it rotating to the Senate majority.  JLARC strictly adheres to the Government Accounting Standards published by the U.S. General Accounting Office, and has done so with distinction.

It has received national awards for the quality of its work from peer reviews.  It is, in addition, bi-partisan, and gains credibility from that fact.  It has the authority to make use of outside contractors and consultants, and does so extensively to augment the analytical and research capaibilities of its own staff.  JLARC members (8 from Senate, 8 from House), in my direct experience, are fiercely protective of its independence as a watchdog for governmental waste and inefficiency, strongly committed to continuous improvement of executive branch performance, and prepared and effective in leveraging its credibility among legislators, the executive branch, and general public, to achieve agency implementation of the reforms as recommended by its performance"

Sen. Tim Sheldon (D), District 35
YES*
Additional Comments:

"Performance audits are necessary for accoutability in government and business. Our Washington State Ferry System cannot account for over $1 million in lost fares for eleven straight years. The public needs a watchdog agency with teeth. If government is operating efficiently and honestly, it has nothing to fear or hide."

Sen. Jean Berkey (D), District 38
NO*
Additional Comments:

"I believe every person in the state of Washington will agree that government needs to be more efficient and performance audits are a valuable tool that can be used to measure and improve efficiency. I do not believe, however, that setting up another state bureaucracy to audit the state bureaucracy we already have is going to accomplish much. I believe an audit must be supported by the organization being audited if it is to be of much benefit. I will continue to support auditing or performance measurement programs that I believe will be of benefit to citizens of this state."

Rep. Kelli Linville (D), District 42, Position 2
NO*
Additional Comments:

"Thank you for contacting me. Five or six years ago, I took the position to not sign any pledges. However, I do support performance audits and have voted for them over the years. I think that the improvements that you are suggesting are good. I have previously supported auditing all agencies so I agree with #1. #2 I believe that the auditor should set the scope for the audits in consultation with the legislature. #3 I agree with number three. #4 I agree with number four. I will continue to fight for accountability in budgeting. I prime sponsored HB 3080 last year to require setting priorities for government spending and performance based measures to evaluate program effectiveness."

Sen. Bill Finkbeiner (R), District 45
NO*
Additional Comments:

"As a general rule I don't sign pledges of any type because I feel my allegiance always has to be to my constituents and the only pledge I make is to use my best judgment to represent their interests. So I have not signed the pledge. However, I have voted for every performance audit bill that has come down the pike since 1995 when I first worked with then Senator Strannigan on this idea. I will continue to support any performance audit bill that will improve the operation of the state agencies and departments."

Sen. Steve Johnson (R), District 47
NO*
Additional Comments:

"My legislative record is clear that I have supported performance audit legislation in the past and I will continue to do so. I am less inclined to support specific language considerably in advance of legislative consideration of a bill, but you can be assured that I will be on the positive side of the issue."