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* Adam Andrzejewski has no idea what he’s talking about…
“Bill Holland is more interested in keeping a friendly relationship rather than rooting out corruption,” Andrzejewski said.
Bill Holland is the best auditor general this state has ever had. I didn’t care for him much back when he was Phil Rock’s chief of staff, and he despised me. But I’ve grown to respect the man over the years. He is honest, above board and a tireless worker.
* The root of Andrzejewski’s whining stems from a proposal he pushed that the House Republicans took up…
The measures lawmakers - mainly Republicans - are pushing now call for an analysis of “all state spending, hiring, procurement, and contracts awarded and the appointment of board and commission officials and decisions made by boards and commissions or those with procurement or hiring authority” from 2001 through 2010.
Here’s the reality check: For state spending alone, there are more than 130 million transactions over that period, from checks issued for mere pennies to lump-sum payments in the tens of millions. A thorough review can be expected to take years, not weeks or months. Any politician who implies the results would be in by their January inauguration - or by the start of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2011 - is … well, dreaming. Auditor General Bill Holland - who has repeatedly proven to be one of the straightest shooters in Illinois government - previously told the Chicago Tribune that the price tag on such an in-depth analysis would be “astronomical,” reaching “hundreds of millions of dollars.”
But Andrzejewski now says that’s not what he wanted, even though that’s exactly what he originally pushed…
Andrzejewski said later that he believes the kind of audit he wants would cost $60 million, although it wouldn’t necessarily involve a piece-by-piece look at every transaction — he claimed that “data mining technology” could help identify trouble areas.
Andrzejewski obviously had no clue what his “forensic audit” actually was when he originally came up with the idea. And his knowledge of recent Illinois history is astoundingly horrific…
Holland said later that when he met with Andrzejewski, Holland learned that Andrzejewski didn’t realize that the 2001-10 time frame includes the last two years of the George Ryan administration.
The House Republicans also had no clue what it entailed when they tried to get a vote on the proposal. It sounded so enticing that even I was briefly on board until I talked with Holland. There’s just no way that this could be done for the price Andrzejewski claimed back then.
* But, hey, Andrzejewski can take comfort in knowing that the last guy who went up against Bill Holland was none other than Rod Blagojevich…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich, meanwhile, stood behind CMS in the wake of an audit that accused the agency of waste and mismanagement. Blagojevich called the dispute between CMS and Auditor General William Holland “a prizefight between accountants - not a lot of muscle there, but a lot of argument and quarrel.”
Yeah, he’s in great company there.
Back off, Adam. This is a fight you will lose, and for good reason.
…Adding… I put this on the Tribune post because some of you are so woefully ignorant of fiscal history. Just to make absolutely sure you see it, here’s a little chart from the Sunshine Review…
…Adding More… These are not inflation-adjusted dollars.
* Related…
* VIDEO: Bill Holland on the forensic audit proposal
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 5:20 am
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Bill Holland is a tough guy who does not suffer fools, but his integrity and competence are unquestioned, except now by a big-hitter like Adam Ant. Disgraceful.
The “forensic” audit is just another copout from making hard choices. It’s a variation on the Victim Mentality — we have a $15 billion GRF hole because of corruption. Paul Powell and Orville Hodge together couldn’t steal that much if they had monkey feet.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 6:25 am
So what is Holland hiding if he’s so afraid of an exacting audit. He hasn’t done much to uncover corruption in a corrupt state. It seems he would want all of the tools in the shed working on this HUGE problems we have in Illinois. Doug Dovmeyer
Comment by Doug Dobmeyer Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 6:39 am
Sounds like a totemization of Spending, which is bad, and somehow greater than the sum of its constituent parts. The magic Forensic Audit will reveal this. Or alternately it will blow a quarter billion dollars to find a quarter million in silly-sounding earmarks.
Comment by Dirt Digger Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 7:22 am
So let me get this right, Holland is arguing that Adam, someone who ran for Governor, is so stupid that he doesn’t know the difference between a Presidential election and a Gubernatorial election.
Yeah…
This is what we call a hack job, Rich.
Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 7:35 am
Illinois is a state with real problems and this shows Adam just wants to tinker at the edges and manage the decline of the state. We need real thinkers, not watered-down platitudes.
Comment by Dan Proft Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 8:11 am
It seems that dan Proft and Rich Miller beleive a Forensic Audit is irrelevant. Rich, as a former elected official (Township/Park District)I bet I and my accountants could find many more $$$ of corruption and fraud in state spending.
For every dollar I find over the cost of the audit, you can give me a dime. You may have to find a sugar daddy to help you.
Comment by Hank Kruse Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 8:25 am
It would seem that by placing a given dollar amount as “a cap on the cost of the forensic audit” that we just might nake everybody happy and actually fix some things that were foolish and had been left mismanaged. Put a $30-$50 million cap on what is spent on this forensic audit. When that $30-$50 million point is reached, the legislatures will be able to see if the cost benefit ratio justifies allowing any additional funds to continue the audit. Maybe $30-$50 is too much? Maybe the dollar amount allowed initially should be $10-$20 million? At least we should give this forensic audit idea a serious try. It may just prove to be a worthwhile legislative safety feature or tactic that we should have been using a decade or more ago. Openess and transparency has always been one of the shortfalls in Illinois and Cook County politics. Let’s at least give it a try before we close our minds to it. Illinois is in no position to have a closed mind when it comes to our financial situation. On a per person basis, we are in worse shape than California. One of the few times Illinois comes in “first place” among the 50 states. Ouch!
Comment by The Shadow Knows Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 8:57 am
The attack of a forensic audit smacks of insider protection of the system as it stands. Comparing Adam to Blago is one of the more ridiculous things I have heard in some time. Try not to blow out a hamstring on that stretch.
Holland has done a good job, but to be steadfastly opposed to an audit can only lead a person to believe that Holland has something to hide.
Why not work with Adam on this thing. Figure out a way to make it cost effective, further the discussion instead of being a road block.
In this post Adam is described as “whining” “having no idea what he is talking about” and “astoundingly horrific.” Then he is compared to Rod Blagojevich. I think that qualifies as being “excessively rabid.”
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 9:04 am
I am skeptical of forensic audits, but the status quo isn’t really getting us anywhere. While our media goes on the offense against any scrutiny of our politicians, I think it is pretty safe to be on the side of the scrutinizers.
JBP
Comment by John Powers Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 9:04 am
Andrzejewski is a sellout, he only wants to do a magic audit of the whole state. We need to do a magic audit of the whole world!
Comment by Scooby Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 9:26 am
I echo Rich’s comments about Bill Holland. Anyone who has doubts about the breadth and depth of the Auditor General’s audits should go out to website and read a few reports. I would particularly suggest that Mr. Dobmeyer may wish to do so.
Strange bedfellows on the call for the forensic audit - Adam A. and Dobmeyer. Altough at different points of the political spectrum, they do seem to both like to take positions without understanding pesky details like the facts.
Comment by Just the Facts Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 9:30 am
Since Adam thinks yhis is so do-able, is he going to pay for it?
Comment by Dead Head Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 9:44 am
Whoever posted under “Dan Proft” is an imposter. But I suppose imitation (even a weak varietal) is the sincerest form of flattery, so thanks.
Regards,
Dan Proft
Comment by The real dan proft Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 9:49 am
Umm, Bill Holland was the only person in Springfield during the Blago years that called out gross mismanagement and malfeasance in state agencies and other taxpayer funded entities of IL government…he is feared and respected by Dems and Republicans alike…Adam, please accomplish something other than shooting off your mouth, do something in the public interest, and then I’ll listen to you.
Have a wonderful holiday fellow bloggers!
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:10 am
A lot of the tea partiers seem to be waking up about Adam Andrzejewski from what I gather. Another flash in the pan who was always more about himself than real reform. The whole “forensic audit” thing has always just been a dodge, a way for feckless elected officials to avoid doing their jobs now.
“Oh I would like to tell you what should be cut, but we’ve gotta wait for the results of the forensic audit first.”
Now we see how well that worked for Bill Brady.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:14 am
Dear Adam:
It isn’t the Auditor General’s job to root out corruption.
That’s what we have an Inspector General for.
The Auditor General’s job is to root out misspending, and Bill Holland’s doing a heckova job, which is why he was unanimously re-appointed by the Illinois General Assembly.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:14 am
Andrzejewski, a former local telephone book salesman and publisher, never had the slightest grasp of state government.
Rich’s analysis is on target.
Comment by David Ormsby Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:24 am
The guy’s a demagogue. There’s a reason he was beat in the primary. His views don’t match up with a majority of Illinois voters. I hope he remembers that when the next GOP primary comes around. Stay away Adam A!
Comment by heet101 Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:31 am
The state already does tons of audits. Plus there is no reason to hope that a private sector accounting firm would do a better job. All those corporations that nearly wrecked our economy all were audited by private sector accounting firms.
This whole “forensic audit” thing starts looking more and more like pinstripe patronage for well connected lawyers and accountants.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:32 am
–Holland has done a good job, but to be steadfastly opposed to an audit can only lead a person to believe that Holland has something to hide.–
Okie, I don’t get it. He’s done a good job with the countless financial, performance and compliance audits his office has done during his tenure, or he’s done a good job hiding things?
In clear view, he’s also outlined his problems with Adam Andy’s half-baked proposal. Since you’ve accused Holland of “hiding things,” what do you suppose they could be?
Anyone who wants to cut spending, start reading the AG’s product. Maybe Holland should start calling his audits The X-Files to encourage the tinfoil hat folks to start utilizing the resource. The Truth is Out There — and online!
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:33 am
“The Auditor General’s job is to root out misspending, and Bill Holland’s doing a heckova job, which is why he was unanimously re-appointed by the Illinois General Assembly. ”
Something about the reasoning in this statement scares me.
Comment by Leroy Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:51 am
Leroy -
Every single Republican voted to keep Bill Holland, including the venerable Frank Watson. If you’re a fiscal conservative, that ought to tell you something.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:56 am
Another example of the illogic of the t-bag world–”if you oppose their ideas because they are stupid and factually incorrect, then you are hiding something and must be corrupt.”
It is akin to the denial of science so rampant in the Bush Admin. that says that if we believe something is so, we can deny or ignore the science and pursue our policy goals anyway.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 11:04 am
I posted a similar comment on the tribune thread in response to a comment about the information on state spending being available: the state budget legislation buries lots of wasteful, but legal, spending under lines like “operational expenses” and “contractual services.” An audit such as the one proposed might make these expenditures much more obvious and public. How many lobbyists are under contract to state agencies and why, for example. Just because an expenditure isn’t “corrupt” doesn’t mean it is not wasteful.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 11:22 am
YDD -
Oh it says something to me, all right…just not the same thing it is saying to you
I have a very strict definition of fiscal conservation: money is only borrowed for investment, never for consumption.
By that definition, there is no such thing as a ‘fiscal conservative’ anywhere near Springfield.
Comment by Leroy Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 11:23 am
Adam won’t consider his poor primary performance or his transparent lack of understanding of state government. He has set himself up a cult of personality based on his single issue campaign. The forenaid audit is the “end the Fed!” slogan for Illinois.
Comment by The Really Real Dan Proft Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 11:23 am
“Bill Holland is the best auditor general this state has ever had”.
Isn’t he the only one we have had? Correct me if I am wrong but I thought that office was created when he was hired to run it.
Adam always speaks before he thinks, this is just another example of that. Holland has run up against several in state government including Blago long before the Governor’s indictment. Rember the CMS audit? He raked them over the coals for thier “savings initiatives” (or lack there of).
Comment by Moderate REpub Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 11:26 am
Robert Cronson was the first auditor general.
As to Andrzejewski’s point - this is another example of someone falling in love with an evocative expression - “forensic audit”. It sounds so cool, so CSI - with hints of intrigue and getting to the bottom of corruption. As Holland points out, however, it also costs a fortune and would take forever.
Transparency is good, and putting every expenditure on line (if that’s not already done), would be a good thing. But going through all the steps of a “forensic audit” on every single expenditure is nuts.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 11:37 am
The Really Real Dan Proft said: “The forensic audit is the ‘end the Fed!’ slogan for Illinois.”
That’s very true. Adam found a way to push the buttons of a small clique that wants an audit of the Federal Reserve as a first step towards ending it. They don’t understand how the Federal Reserve works either.
That group also doesn’t realize that while their hero Ron Paul has made that a big issue, the conspiracy theories about the Fed really go back to those LaRouche nuts and there is also some real anti-semitism there if you trace that whole movement back to the fears about “international bankers” etc.
I’m not saying that’s what Adam A is about. Not at all. Just saying it’s another example where he hasn’t done his homework. He just glommed onto some halfbaked fears that have been out there for decades and which aren’t based on clear thinking or serious analysis.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 11:52 am
@Leroy -
So, if you needed surgery to stay alive, you’d borrow money to pay for the artificial heart but not the surgeon?
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
ALL borrowing, taxing and spending policies should be viewed through the prism of the public’s best interest AND our Constitutional and other legal obligations.
I agree with Madigan in general that state government should be pay-as-you-go, but what do you do when Republicans refuse to pay-as-you-go for critical programs that our in the public’s best interest or that are Constitutionally or legally required?
The only option Republicans would agree to was borrowing, so borrowing is what happened.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 12:03 pm
Before we wast money on an audit to find the mythical hidden cuts lets go for the cuts we can see.
lets start with the overly generous general assembly pay. health benefits and retirement plans. Unlike State workers, the General assembly salaries are paid even if they do not show up for work, and there pay does not reflect the large number of days/months they are not in session or working even a 40 hour week.
next their retirmenet, it is based on the last day of pay, regardless of the regula earning. State workers pay is averaged over what they made for years; not so for our gneral assembly. lets get rid of the general assembly retirmenet all together and move them to 401(k) style retirmenets. Lets also make their salary dependent on working 40 hrs a week, and reduce it for any weeks they work less then 40 hrs. Like other State merit comp employees, working over 40 hrs is just expected for the same pay.
We can then redisribute the 60 million audit cost and the savings from reducing pay and benefits to the general assembly to the handful of remaining merit comp workers….
Comment by Ghost Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 12:16 pm
“Holland is arguing that Adam, someone who ran for Governor, is so stupid that he doesn’t know the difference between a Presidential election and a Gubernatorial election.”
One could argue that given the current state budget situation, running for governor is a sign of stupidity rather than intellect. Or does your running for governor = smart also mean Scott Lee Cohen is super smart?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 12:26 pm
Dan nailed it earlier.
The fact Andrzejewski’s proposed audit ($60 million) would cost more than twice the Auditor General’s entire annual budget ($25 million) as well as the fact his proposal couldn’t even get the years of the Blago admin. correct reflect a disturbing lack of attention to detail.
He comes across as a bit disingenuous (but hey, it got his name in the paper again) and plain old confused in that piece.
Disappointing (again), since Adam was someone I thought might make an impact a couple of years ago.
On a positive note, maybe it’s part of the learning curve and his next proposal will be much improved. There’s no reason he can’t keep developing and contributing new, better ideas.
Let’s hope.
Comment by S Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 12:28 pm
So, forensic audits in Kansas and Texas rooted out billions of dollars in wasteful and fraudulent spending in their state governments. But it can’t be done in Illinois…why?
Comment by eastsider Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 1:09 pm
Teh comments show many of these readers have vested interests and want life to go on as it has. Well, if it does then Illinois sinks deeper into the mire and with it any chance to make changes.
The state has to rid itself of the negative financial position it is in. I don’t think Pat can do it, but I hope he can. His problem is he has too many vested interests and not enough backbone to stand up to free spenders who want to spend and not think.
Oh Just, I know the budget. One thing that should happen is to get the legislative leaders to sign an agreement to eliminate earmarks. It would save the state millions and send a very positive message. The second thing that should happen, is the Repubs should put out their own budget so people could compare numbers rather then rhetoric.
Doug Dobmeyer
Comment by Doug Dobmeyer Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 1:18 pm
YDD,
The Auditor General does have subpeona power, so he can take on corruption if he would so choose.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 1:38 pm
===so he can take on corruption if he would so choose. ===
And he has. YDD doesn’t exactly know what he’s talking about here.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 1:38 pm
“hose who’d point to the savings that came after analyses in Kansas and Texas over the last 20 years are comparing apples to oranges. Neither state actually undertook a forensic audit. And there are reports that, much like Rod Blagojevich’s much-touted “efficiency” initiatives, most of the savings claimed in Kansas - $1 billion - never really materialized.”
http://www.pjstar.com/opinions/x358496902/Our-View-CSI-approach-to-Illinois-budget-wont-quite-cut-it
Comment by BigTwich Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 1:39 pm
I love the fact that as soon as the money runs out, someone must have stolen it. Therefore, let’s spend a gazillion dollars finding the guy that got away with the stapler. Yes, someone got hired that wasn’t qualified. Ok, so now what are you going to do with them? If they’ve been there for 7,8, 9 years? You can’t just fire them, there is a process? How much money are we going to spend showing that someone got a little extra, someone got a job that shouldn’t 9 years ago, etc.
Let’s move on. This whole exercise is chasing dimes, we need to be looking at $50 bills.
Improve systems going forward, stop looking for the goat in the rearview mirror.
Comment by frustrated GOP Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 1:44 pm
Adam A. just said on a downstate radio program that there will be a bill introduced in early January to impliment an audit covering the last two fiscal years.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 1:49 pm
Apparently the problem is not that anyone, least of all Bill Holland, is trying to hide anything — the problem is with those who toss around the term “forensic audit” a little too loosely.
If a regular audit is a conventional weapon in the war against waste, fraud, corruption and abuse, a forensic audit is a nuclear weapon — and like a REAL nuke, could cause just as much financial damage to the state (because of its cost and length) as it prevents.
Comment by Secret Square Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 1:58 pm
@Rich and Oklahoma -
I’m not saying that Bill Holland hasn’t taken on corruption, but that his primary mission is to root out financial mismanagement and failure of government agencies to meet their statutory obligations regarding government operations.
While the Inspector General’s purview is criminal wrongdoing - malfeasance - the Auditor General’s mission is to root out nonfeasance and misfeasance. Sometimes, but not always, these overlap.
Not all misspending is corruption and not all corruption is misspending. And most of the worst misspending in Illinois - procurement contracts that are written so as to give an insurmountable advantage to one bidder - are perfectly legal right now and beyond the scope of Bill Holland.
Just ask yourself how much government spends on electricity, telephone and internet services, computers and software licenses, and how much competitive bidding you think really goes on there.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 2:02 pm
–So, forensic audits in Kansas and Texas rooted out billions of dollars in wasteful and fraudulent spending in their state governments–
Some people will believe anything.
This forensic audit stuff is akin to the real estate infomercials where you can make millions, with no investment, working 20 hours a week from your home.
Hynes should weigh in on this stuff before he leaves. Cut any crazy-looking billion dollar checks lately?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 2:04 pm
Come on people. Audits are conducted ALL THE TIME!!! The larger agencies have auditors in their agencies or working on their agencies every single day. Does anybody look at the audit reports on the Auditor General’s website? Things are constantly being discovered and remedies are implemented as a result. What some of you people want is not an audit - you want a witchhunt.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 2:04 pm
We should test out this forensicaudit mumbo jumbo on a small scale to see if it is worth it.
I suggest a forensic aufit of the Town of Cicero’s PR contracts and we can see if it is worth it.
Comment by The Almost Real Dan Proft Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 2:31 pm
Forensic auditing is robust policy, please read my response to this post at:
http://tinyurl.com/2bx6chj
Comment by Adam Andrzejewski Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 2:47 pm
This forensic audit stuff was part of newly elected state rep Joe Sosnowski’s bag of campaign tricks. He, too was simply the trumpet through which the House GOP leaders blew and had no idea what he was talking about. Empty noise from an empty vessel.
Comment by DekalbDem Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 2:57 pm
Oh, it’s “robust.” Another good buzzword. Okay now I’m for it.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 3:14 pm
Mr. Andrzejewski:
Did you ever consider that AG Holland does not use his subpoena power because he doesn’t have to? With the exeption of some of the craziness that happened during the Blagojevich Administration, cooperation is pretty much the norm when it comes to auditors. What is it that you think you will find with this “forensic audit” that is currently not being found during the regular audit process? Or, are you just hell bent on assuming everyone in government is engaged in some malfeasance or criminal activity unless proved otherwise by an audit. I can tell you that you will be wasting untold man hours of staff time in government with this endeavor. Detailed information is already provided to auditors. I think the fact that you continue to push this concept is indicative of your lack of understanding of what currently goes on with an audit.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 3:16 pm
Anyone actually read the piece Adam Andrzejewski linked above?
To say that Sen. McCarter, Sen. Sam McCann, and Rep. Dwight Kay winning had anything to do with talk of a “forensic audit” is deluded arrogance beyond belief.
For starters, McCarter for one was already the incumbent in a district that has always been safe Republican. Dems didn’t even put up much of a fight there.
Let’s talk about the only race anyone really cares about, gov. Brady wrapped himself in the audit talk, lost. And Adam Andrzejewski truly made it a centerpiece in his primary campaign, spent millions, and got crushed, beating only Proft.
A more honest analysis would say “forensic audit” is the political kiss of death.
And by the way, has anyone ever asked Adam Andrzejewski if he’s ever had any accounting training? Even a single accounting class in college? Maybe he has, I just don’t know.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 3:26 pm
The “forensic audit” stuff is just a fig leaf for Republicans to hide behind in their opposition to a responsible budget.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 3:31 pm
Wow, a CapFax post that brings both Proft and that other guy out of the woodwork? Who’s next? McKenna?
How can we miss you if you don’t go away?
Comment by Obamarama Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 3:38 pm
Adam A’s in the house. Tell us, Adam, where’s the first place to look for the billions in savings that will keep us from making hard choices? Any old department would do for starters.
Also, where in my backyard should I dig for that pot of gold?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 4:16 pm
The disdain and sarcasm being aimed toward someone who wants to simply do an audit of the States books and hold people accountable is really, really amazing.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 4:45 pm
===simply do an audit of the States books===
This is no “simple” audit, LiO. Try reading a bit more before you leap.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 4:47 pm
I keep trying to tell Adam that the state operates so efficiently, that there simply is no waste, fraud or abuse. German bureaucrats who study our finances have killed themselves in shame at how they pale in comparison to our efficiency.
There’s something about seeing a German commit ritual seppuku that really stirs the soul.
Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 4:50 pm
John, do you really believe this “forensic audit” should be undertaken? If so, how broadly? What level of up-front expense do you think we should be willing to make? What do you think the ROI might beought to be?
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 5:00 pm
==The disdain and sarcasm being aimed toward someone who wants to simply do an audit of the States books and hold people accountable is really, really amazing.==
There are audits being done constantly. Shelves of them. Read them. My disdain and sarcasm is for the snake oil peddlers selling Victimization.
Do you really believe there’s some bookkeeping solution? That’s astounding to me.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 5:07 pm
Steve-
I think it’d be nice to sit down and negotiate that. I’ll bring Adam. There are various ways to do it and intelligent people can debate the sweet spot to optimize the amount spent (and scope) for the maximum return.
If you’re willing, let’s just sit people down and come to common ground. We’re all smart people, let’s get it done.
Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 5:07 pm
@John Bambenek:
Nobody has ever answered sufficiently this question: what would be different about this audit from the audits currently being conducted? What is it you are trying to achieve?
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 5:10 pm
Well, let’s say, an audit gets done, and the findings suggest that the state’s work could get done more efficiently by eliminating, say, twenty percent of middle managers and upgrading various computer systems. Not unlike what’s been going on for a while in the business world. Then what. The state fires twenty percent of its middle managers and tweaks the computer systems. I think not.
Adam has a lot to learn about how government really works. But he’s young…..
Comment by cassandra Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 6:42 pm
Andrzejewski needs to
Comment by waitress practicing politics... Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 7:02 pm
Andrzejewski said “he claimed that ‘data mining technology’ could help identify trouble areas.”
Where has this been done? Commercial software? Specialized hardware? If so, how much?
Comment by Smitty Irving Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 8:22 pm
John, I think you and I could talk until we are blue in the face and it would have no bearing on whether such audits are ever done.my first problem is that the people pushing this don’t seem to me to have nearly as much credibility as Holland, and he is obviously quite negative about the idea. On the other hand, picking some discreet area of government that is manageable, doesn’t cost an arm and leg to do, and could be done within some reasonable time frame would seem to me to be a reasonable thing to look at.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:25 pm
The auditor general appointments are too long. Whatever happened to rotating auditors as a good business practice? I think Cronson was more ethical than Holland but nobody remembers that far back. The scope of the forensic audit could be limited and narrowed and not be cost prohibitive.
Comment by Tea Party Liberal Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 10:52 pm
Cronson? Please. The guy barely showed up.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 11:08 pm
“Andrzejewski said “he claimed that ‘data mining technology’ could help identify trouble areas.””
Simple:
CTRL + F, “waste”,
CTRL + F, “fraud”,
CTRL + F, “abuse”,
CTRL + F, “corruption”,
CTRL + F, “graft”, etc.
Easy peasy…..
But seriously, anyone who thinks that you could get all the states data moved from its silos into a data mining warehouse _quickly_ or _cheaply_ enough to make it worth our while is cracked.
It might be possible if we throw sufficient buzz words at the task - we could do a forensic audit with data mining technology utilizing synergy in the cloud, perhaps by creating a GUI interface using visual basic …
Comment by returning dog Monday, Nov 22, 10 @ 11:53 pm