Last night I saw a report on KSTP News which showed Legislative Auditor James Nobles stating that Commissioner Jessen of the Department of Human Services was not being forthcoming in providing documents that he has asked for. Currently, the Legislative Auditor along with other government enities are investigating aspects of the $4 billion Medicaid affair.
Many people in Minnesota may not know about this, but the Legislative Auditor was cited recently in a major study. The study was part of an effort by the Center for Public Integrity, Public Radio International and Global Integrity to look at how all 50 states deal with accountability and transparency to prevent "funny things" such as corruption, breaking of laws, and dishonesty from happening in government.
Minnesota got a D+ in its report card.
There were two "bright" spots that more than likely kept Minnesota from getting an F. The Legislative Auditor and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
In the more detail report, it highlights the weaknesses of Minnesota laws and institutions.
In the report it states:
"One of the bright spots in the state is the Office of the Legislative Auditor. The Office is widely seen as non-partisan, aggressive, and even-handed in its approach to auditing and evaluating state agencies and programs. In 1973, a private study group recommended creation of an office in the legislative branch comparable to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a non-partisan governmental “watchdog” at the national level."
I applaud the Legislative Auditor for calling out publicly when higher ups in government are not doing their due diligence in producing documents when they are asked for.
By the way I did a post last year to where the Legislative Auditor may not have enough money to do its "full" job in a keen and constant fashion this current biennium. Is that still true?
Is the Legislative Auditor's nose still cut to smell government wrong?
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