Bill limiting auditor's power lands on Gov. Reynolds' desk
DES MOINES, Iowa — GOP Senators voted to advance the auditor bill, for a second time, after the House made a few changes to address federal funding concerns.
Now, the bill would restrict what information Iowa's auditor office has access to and their ability to take state agencies to court.
Republicans argued this proposal is needed to keep Iowans' private information safe.
However, Democrats said it’s a political move to silence one of the only Democrats in charge of a state-wide office, Auditor Rob Sand.
Speaker of the House Pat Grassley denied the move was political.
Democrats aren't the only ones with concerns. A group of bipartisan state auditors are worried this plan would hinder Auditor Sand from performing independent audits meant to prevent waste, fraud and abuse.
Auditor Sand spoke out against the bill after its passing Wednesday.
The bill is the greatest pro-corruption bill and the worst perversion of checks and balances in Iowa’s history because it lets state government hide documents from auditors, and ends judicial review of such decisions,” said Sand. “To eliminate checks and balances on power is an attack on democracy and an invitation to corruption.
On the Senate floor, the bills manager, Sen. Mike Bousselot, said the proposal offers much needed guidance for the auditor's office.
It gives guidance, common sense policy saying when should an audit begin, according to SPA standards. What information should the auditor have access to," Sen. Bousselot said. "How should we settle disputes in a way that's friendly to tax payers.
The proposal passed on a party line vote in the Senate.
The bill now heads to Gov. Reynolds' desk.
