BY RUSSELL TURNER
WHEN DONKEYS FLY
Having been in the business community for several years I have gained some insight into what makes some people successful and others bankrupt. The person who handles the most money is not necessarily the most successful. The person who is the most successful is the one who has the ability to get the most bang for the buck. In my own business I have found that information is the key to success. We humans are very bad at wanting to maintain the status quo and many people will go to any lengths to insure that the current system will stay the same regardless of the cost to future generations. Many years ago a mentor of mine warned me about letting emotions guide your business decisions, his advice to me was to always look at the numbers and let those numbers be your guide. Here in my state of Oklahoma we are experiencing budget shortfalls in the state budget, too many people think that the only solutions is to simply raise taxes. In my opinion raising taxes during a slow economy makes about as much sense as trying to float a lead balloon. A much more practical approach would be to use the limited resources already available in a more efficient manner. Our state, like others, has a state auditor and inspector to insure that money spent by our elected officials is done so legally and efficiently; our auditor Gary Jones has played by the rules and has tried to make our state spending more efficient, but challenging the status quo does have its consequences.
The State Auditor’s office is currently in the State Capitol building. In my opinion that is the logical place for it to be. If the legislature was truly interested in getting the best bang for the buck, the legislators should be in his office asking for reports on all government spending. Just a few years ago legislation was authored that would give the auditor more authority to do performance audits on state agencies, sadly that legislation was soundly defeated. To add more insult to injury just a few days ago Auditor Jones was informed that his office will be moved out of the capitol after the 2017 legislative session. I might note that the State Auditor was not involved in any of the decision making on his eviction and the cost to rent an office elsewhere would be in the neighborhood of 70K per year. It seems to me that whatever party is in power the end result is the same, the good ole boy network is alive and well in the state of Oklahoma. The one office that has the tools to keep the state from going into the red is being run out of the capitol building and the auditor’s budget will be less because of a monthly rent expense.
Gary Jones has been critical of inappropriate spending by the state legislature, but in recent press releases various elected officials assure us taxpayers that the move is not politically motivated. I am touched by their concern, but I will believe that when donkeys fly.
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