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PRESS RELEASE January 10, 2005 Performance audit bill drafted in Senate Modeled after EFF's performance audit pledge OLYMPIA—Sen. Pam Roach (R-Auburn) has drafted a performance audit bill reflecting 100 percent of the model language the Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF) submitted to legislators in the form of a performance audit pledge last year. Fifty-three members of the House (including Speaker Frank Chopp) and 17 members of the Senate signed EFF's performance audit pledge. This means there should be no obstacles to a companion bill being introduced in the House. "The legislature appears poised to finally adopt independent and comprehensive performance audits of state government," said Jason Mercier, budget research analyst for EFF. "We would like to thank Sen. Roach and all the performance audit pledge signers for their commitment to this type of accountability to citizens." Performance reviews in Texas have identified $16 billion in potential savings since being authorized in 1991 and California's recent performance review identified $32 billion in potential savings that could be assumed over a five-year period. Pledge signers in the House include: Representatives Ahern, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Buck, Buri, Campbell, Chase, Chopp, Clibborn, Condotta, Crouse, Curtis, DeBolt, Dunn, Dunshee, Ericks, Ericksen, Haler, Hinkle, Holmquist, Hunter, Kilmer, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, McCoy, McCune, McDonald, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Newhouse, Nixon, O'Brien, Orcutt, Pearson, Priest, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Schindler, Sells, Serben, Shabro, Strow, Sullivan, Talcott, Tom, Wallace, Walsh, Williams and Woods. Pledge signers in the Senate include: Senators Benson, Benton, Carrell,
Delvin, Esser, Honeyford, Kastama, McCaslin, Mulliken, Parlette, Rasmussen,
Roach, Schoesler, Sheldon, Stevens, Swecker EFF sent each of the performance audit pledge signers a letter today thanking them for their support and offering the Foundation's assistance if needed. Although a performance audit initiative is being proposed by another organization, EFF believes the legislature should have a final crack at adopting this needed reform. "If legislators decide not to honor their pledge, the people will have an insurance policy in the proposed performance audit initiative," said Mercier. Additional Information Contact: Jason Mercier | Budget Research Analyst | 360.956.3482
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1 Part Honesty; 2 Parts Arrogance At a March 23, 2005, House Appropriations hearing on a bill to gut the voter-approved I-601 spending limit, Rep. Jim McIntire (D) asked a supporter of I-601’s two-third supermajority requirement for the legislature to raise taxes the following question: "Can you name a time when we [legislators] have actually not just set it [supermajority requirement] aside by majority vote? I mean, this is in many respects a procedural motion that has no bearing. It’s a statutory constraint that cannot constrain any legislature that chooses as a majority to set it aside . . . have we ever used a supermajority [to raise taxes]?" - Rep. Jim McIntire (D - 46) Despite the arrogance of some state officials, Washington's constitution is clear: "All political power is inherent in the people..." |
