Committee Approves Measure to Provide Greater Accountability in State Government

Legislation that would ensure that Oklahoma taxpayers are getting their money’s worth from state agencies won approval of the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday.

Senate Bill 1341 by Senator Kenneth Corn would require independent performance review audits of state agencies to determine if the agencies are adequately carrying out the mission they have been assigned by the Legislature.

“These audits will determine whether the people of Oklahoma are getting the best possible state services for their money. Oklahomans value personal responsibility in their own lives and with that they expect state government to be more accountable. This measure will accomplish that,” said Corn, D-Poteau.

The measure calls for creation of a board of private citizens – individuals from outside the Legislature and state government – to work with the State Auditor and Inspector to develop the criteria to be used in determining the effectiveness of state agencies and programs.

“It’s the people’s money and this bill involves the public in the process,” Corn said. “The final reports will be released to Legislature, the governor and to the citizens of Oklahoma.”

The bill calls for the audits to be performed by the State Auditor and Inspector and additionally gives the State Auditor the authority to contract with outside firms to assist with the audits.

Corn said the measure doesn’t remove the Legislature’s responsibility for determining the level of agency budgets. Instead, he said, it gives lawmakers another tool to use in the appropriations process.

“Senate Bill 1341 gives the Legislature additional information – objective data compiled by a third party auditor – to assist us in determining whether the people are getting their money’s worth. It will make Oklahoma government more accountable to the taxpayers of our state,” Corn said.