Eyman's initiative 'would create huge bureaucracy'

TIM EYMAN IS at it again. His latest initiative, I-900, proposes independent, comprehensive audits on state and local governments and their agencies, programs and accounts. He’s running this initiative even though the legislature is poised to pass a bipartisan bill on the subject this session.

Council 2 believes the plan itself would be ineffective and is a half-baked attempt by Eyman to capitalize on the initiative process to line his pockets.

“It would create a giant bureaucracy of auditors who would check out the performance of government services without any direction from the local communities,” says Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson. “The Legislature’s plan is a much more efficient approach that includes employee input.” He adds that the State Legislature has been working on performance audits for a number of years. “Good ideas take time to develop and it is not unusual for issues before the Legislature to take several years before there is a well-balanced compromise approach.”

Thompson says that no one would disagree that government performance should be reviewed for cost savings and efficiencies. Indeed, that is what is done in every city and county throughout the state in budget years. “The real key is to include the recommendation of frontline employees.” Thompson adds.

“But to send Olympia bureaucrats into our communities with no direction is pointless,” he says. “And it violates local government control.

“How many state auditors are they going to send to Wenatchee to tell them how to run the city?”