March 7, 2012

Really? RI State Gov't Should Eliminate Internal Audits?

Monique Chartier

I'm all for cutting government. But this? A page taken directly from the David Cicilline Handbook On Governing?

The Rhode Island Society of CPAs (RISCPA) announced its strong opposition today to Governor Chafee’s proposal to abolish the Rhode Island Bureau of Audits. Under the Governor’s proposed FY2013 budget (House Bill 7323, Article 4), the Bureau, which provides the internal-audit function for all of state government, would be entirely eliminated.

“Eliminating the Bureau of Audits, a key tool in preventing corruption, would be a grave mistake,” said Robert Mancini, Executive Director of the RISCPA. “The proposal would undermine transparency, accountability and the crucial internal audit function of the State.”

The Bureau of Audits performs the auditing function for the Executive Branch of the State Government. It provides an independent appraisal and evaluation of the effectiveness of financial and operational controls through objective analyses, evaluations and recommendations.


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Makes perfect sense...that Chafee would propose this. Thanks again to the 39%ers.

Posted by: JTR at March 7, 2012 4:13 PM

"Thanks again to the 39%ers"

Psss. 39% is more than any other candidate got. That's how our elections work. :)

Posted by: Bill at March 7, 2012 4:19 PM

What's next, stripping the Ethics Board of all its power?

Oh wait...

Posted by: Patrick at March 7, 2012 5:00 PM

Monique, you're walking a fine line, as to plagiarism.

Kindly provide the proper attribute or link for this and all future quotations. Are you the author of this comment ?

With love Sammy in sunny Arizona

Posted by: Sammy in Arizona at March 7, 2012 5:20 PM

As usual, Sammy blurts out a Tourette's comment with no connection to the article. Exactly which of Monique's words do you think are "plagiarized", Sammy?

To the article: One more reason I'm glad to have emigrated from the Corruptocrat Tyranny of Rhode Island. This is good. The sooner the state collapses, the sooner I can buy beachfront property for a song.

Posted by: Contrarian View at March 7, 2012 8:02 PM

I would have to believe that this would pose a big problem to the rating agencies. And, if there is any criminal liability insurance policy the state has, would they be OK with this??? Me thinks not.
There can be only one reason to abolish this department - so nobody is watching the crooks. Bad idea.!
btw, whose stupid idea is this, anyway? I mean, I know its the governors budget (we all know this is way over Dopey's head), but just what individual came up with this lame-brained idea?

Posted by: Mike Cappelli at March 7, 2012 8:05 PM

"As usual, Sammy blurts out a Tourette's comment with no connection to the article."

I got a Tourette's comment for Sammy but it probably would get me banned. Does anyone think this is part a warped Chafee plan to sway support for tax increases by making cuts to the most eyebrow raising programs? Wasn't human services the largest cut to date?

Posted by: Max D at March 7, 2012 10:13 PM

"Does anyone think this is part a warped Chafee plan to sway support for tax increases by making cuts to the most eyebrow raising programs?"

Right here. Good point. That occurred to me with his budget of last year which included the proposal of taking the last 20% of income from veterans at the Soldiers Home in Bristol.

Now this suggestion. Are we supposed to react along the lines of, "Wow! Things are so tight they have to cut the auditors and confiscate the veterans' last 20%??? Well, I guess we'd better raise taxes!!!"

Not so fast. RI has the seventh highest combined state and local tax rate (according to the Tax Foundation, Sammy). So clearly, the state doesn't have a revenue problem but a spending problem.

www.anchorrising.com/barnacles/013831.html

Posted by: Monique at March 7, 2012 11:27 PM

"Washington Monument Syndrome, also called the "Mount Rushmore Syndrome", is the name of a political tactic allegedly used by government agencies when faced with reductions in the rate of projected increases in budget or actual budget cuts. The most visible and most appreciated service that is provided by that entity is the first to be put on the chopping block." - Wikipedia

Posted by: Dan at March 8, 2012 7:50 AM

"Washington Monument Syndrome, also called the "Mount Rushmore Syndrome"

Interesting - I didn't know there was a name for such dishonest, manipulative budgeting.

In the face of a possible shut down of the federal government (last year?), I saw a report that President Obama's administration had created a particularly vicious list of cuts - again, not on the basis of priorities but what would create the most visceral reaction.

Posted by: Monique at March 8, 2012 8:41 AM

"(we all know this is way over Dopey's head)"

Is it Mike? I know that's the popular opinion and you might be right. I'm starting to think while he maybe socially inept (I know DUH!), he is cold, calculating, and vindictive. Maybe he's just trying to exact a price from those that don't go along.

Posted by: Max D at March 8, 2012 8:50 AM

Chafee's right-hand man is long-time RI political insider and Harvard Law graduate Richard Licht. Rest assured that the implications of such policies that are lost on Chafee are not lost on him.

Posted by: Dan at March 8, 2012 10:07 AM

Gee...how astute of you Bill. Thanks for the education - you must be a teacher. Had those 39% voted for, I don't know, say a candidate with a clue, then another candidate would have won.

Posted by: JTR at March 8, 2012 11:12 AM

The above commentary by Monique was copied word for word from golocalprov.com

Posted by: Sammy at March 8, 2012 12:18 PM

Sammy The Troll - She provided a link, and the quote is indicated by block formatting. We're all very sorry that you don't understand contemporary blogging norms.

Posted by: Dan at March 8, 2012 1:09 PM
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