Keep Sonntag As Auditor

Tue., Oct. 31, 2000

By Doug Floyd dougf@spokesman.com

Many political hopefuls tell you that finding savings in government is as simple as trick or treat. Just walk up to the door and hold out your sack.

Responsible officials like state Auditor Brian Sonntag know trimming waste and fraud takes more than scaring it away. Sometimes you have to fight merely to get legislative authority to do the job - as Democrat Sonntag did when he persuaded lawmakers to let him do some performance audits of state agencies.

Many times you must simply attack the job as diligently as you can with what you have. Using that determined approach, Sonntag has saved state taxpayers millions of dollars during his eight years in office. He’s also promoted programs that help agencies, local governments and public employees themselves achieve efficiencies so his office won’t have to get involved.

Enter Sonntag’s Republican challenger, former business executive Richard McEntee, who contends he can save nearly $2 billion before removing his coat.

We’ve heard that haunting refrain before and we believe Sonntag’s proven record is a more compelling case than McEntee’s sincere but naive pipe dream.

Local journalism is essential.

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