Another Tim Eyman initiative! Run for your lives!

Not really. Initiative 900 would require performance audits for state and local governments and it represents one of those circumstances where the Washington state Legislature isn’t likely to bring about a needed reform. Currently, the state auditor’s office notes where money is spent, but it isn’t authorized to make qualitative judgments on that spending. I-900 would allow for that.

True, the Legislature did pass a bill last session for such audits, but its scope is limited to state agencies. The author of that bill, Rep. Mark Miloscia, D-Federal Way, says he’s going to vote for the initiative because it provides more money for audits. His bill sets aside $2.8 million every two years, while I-900 provides for an estimated $17 million for 2005-07 and $25 million for 2007-09.

There is no formal opposition to the initiative, but the Association of Washington Cities provided the “con” argument on the ballot. It notes that the amount budgeted isn’t nearly enough to audit the more than 2,000 state and local government entities and that many municipalities already conduct performance audits. State Auditor Brian Sonntag agrees, but he says he would focus spending on those agencies where audits could do the most good. The AWC says the audits could become political tools used for partisan reasons. That’s possible, but since the auditor is an elected official he or she could be held accountable by the voters. Under the Legislature’s bill, the governor chooses an oversight body, which then chooses what the auditor should audit. Voters cannot hold the overseers accountable. No system can inoculate itself from charges of partisan mischief.

Another complaint is that the state Auditor’s Office isn’t sufficiently equipped with the personnel needed to carry out performance audits. If that’s the case, the initiative allows the auditor to contract out for those services. In addition, the audits must be performed in accordance with the standards set forth by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Governments shouldn’t balk when taxpayers ask whether their money is being spent wisely. Audits in other states have ended wasteful spending practices. The widening use of performance audits may even persuade some taxpayers that their perceptions of government profligacy are unfounded. In this age of putting tax increases to a vote, credibility is critical.

I-900 helps hold government accountable. And while we aren’t as cynical about government as Tim Eyman, we think he’s offered an initiative that merits support.