We understand the Governor has actually already talked to the WSP and the WDFW about merging their two departments under the WSP.  We think this would be a very foolish move.  There is already a problem with poachers in this state that our Game Wardens are dooing their best to control.  Merging with the State Patrol will not provide them with more man power but give so much more work for them to do that they will not be able to perform the duties of the Game Department that they now have.  To add to this, future students will be deprived of a vocation as the job of Game Warden will no longer exist!  To protect and preserve the wildlife in this state we need the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  DO NOT dilute it by combining it with the State Patrol.

What does this have to do with a Statewide audit?  I think we need to see where our money is going that is in that Lottery fund.  THAT'S an audit I'm interested in seeing.  It seems to me that money was earmarked to be used for specific projects when we voted to allow the Lottery in back in the 1980's.  What kind of accounting have we been given as to the use of these monies since the inception of this thing?  Since this is the era of Transparency, let's have a look at some of this spending.

What kind of accounting have we been given as to the use of these monies since the inception of this thing?  Since this is the era of Transparency, let's have a look at some of this spending.

Boy....did you hit the nail on the head. The WDFW should stay as one, and the WSP as another!

I wonder just how we go about getting them to account for how the Lottery money has been used?  There has to be a way to do it.

In regards to the question of what Boards or Commisions should be eliminated: I think one group that should be eliminated is the ACCT Council.  In a time when we see critical services being cut, why would we keep around the ACCT Council?  They have accomplished very little and the content of their 'annual report' is to take credit for other agencies work.  I cannot in good faith support their continuing in any capacity.  Their name is not on the 'elimination' list because they have a sunset date.  Citizens and Legislators need to make sure they are not reathorized in new legislation.  This would would be fically irreseponsible in these tragic budget times.  Use the funds to support proven agencies, with proven track records of service and success not a council that spends too many of our states precious dollars trying to create reports that justify their own existence. Shame!

I'm sure the Wine Commision and other like minded commisions wil retain their special tax payer support.

For Fiscal Accountability  : What is ACCT?  What is it supposed to do?  

Anyhow:  

I support a statewide audit.  There is so much waste in government brought on by beaurocratic nonsense and lack of common sense!  Some of the stories I have heard:  Drug addicts taking taxi's to so-called drug treatment centers.  They use this "service" for personal transportation and there is no follow-up on the cost/charges because it's too expesive to check it out!????

We cut funds to Social Services charged with looking after abused and neglected children, then screem SHAME on the people trying to do an impossible job with too big a case load and no resources to help.  SHAME on government official for cutting funds to these department, while passing non-essential, pork stuff to line their own pocket, or benefit their own particular intest or section of the state or country.  

And SHAME on ANY elected official who votes to cut ANY education budgets!  There are so many wastefull, non-essential, silly, extravagant things that can be done to balance the budget right now.  Education and social services for children should not even be thought of as a last resort!!!  

There are a lot of stupid laws and beaurocratic departments due to over zelous legislatures passing laws and setting up depts/committees over stupid stuff.  People do stupid things.  Passing laws against it doesn't solve the problem, and media coverage just gives it legitamacy.  For example, talking about gangs by their names gives them some kind of "respect" in the public eye.  STOP IT!  

In answer to the specific question, the layers of beaurocracy are so mired in their own excess, I couldn't even make a guess at where to start.  That's what we have elected officials for, and they are the ones that created this mess in the first place.  

Washington State Parks Commission and their grand plan of 'destination' parks...meanwhile they're closing 13 parks.  This Governor could not manage her way out of a paper bag...let alone a 8 billion dollar deficit....the people running the show can SPEND just fine, it's when they run out of money they show what dumb _ _ _'s they really are.

DOES ANYONE IN OLYMPIA KNOW THAT WE ARE IN A "RECESSION?"

Why are they continually raising the taxes?  They received a bailout recently, but how do we know it will go where they said it would?  We don't know where the 3+ billion went before Gregiore was re-elected.

I have some comments to make, but it will be in the Covington Reporter, because I know they don't listen in Olympia?  

It's time for the citizen's to yell, scream, write, call and bug their elected officials until they listen to them and do what is right for the citizen's of Washington State!

Since Governor Gregoir sees fit to lie about the finances of this state whenever convenient for her why should we bother with and audit? Figures can lie and liars can figure !!

Although the audits of state agencies are available to us online, we never know if the results of an audit which find corruption, abuse, waste and criminal activiities by government workers are resolved.

What's the point of audits if the taxpayer never knows that findings of corruption, waste, fraud, and criminal actions are resolved?

why yes, yes I do, as long as the audit is independent and the state is bound by the audit findings, (which they never are).

DK

Cut our budget not our rights.

Deeds not words.