ST. PAUL, MN—Representative Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, Chair of the House State Government Finance Committee, issued the following statement regarding reports Tuesday that State Auditor Rebecca Otto has spent $107,000 in taxpayer money to date on legal bills while she decides whether to sue the state for passing a bill signed into law by Governor Dayton allowing counties to contract with Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms to conduct annual audits. 28 counties in Minnesota currently contract with CPA firms to conduct annual audits, as do schools and all cities save for three.
"Auditor Otto's reckless use of taxpayer money is an affront to Minnesota taxpayers, and it's time for her to end this wasteful charade," Anderson said. "The law passed by the legislature with strong bipartisan support and signed by Governor Dayton earlier this year will save county property tax dollars by giving all counties the same CPA audit option that 28 counties already use, including Hennepin County - the largest financially. At the end of the day, citizens will be stuck footing the bill for the Auditor's folly. Minnesota taxpayers deserve better."
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