Plain Dealer Also Likes Mary Taylor’s Plan Better
From the PD
Both Gov. Ted Strickland and State Auditor Mary Taylor both want to prevent a repeat of the breakdown in financial con trols that contributed to the loss of $300 million through theft and mismanagement at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. And both want to accomplish that by implementing tougher internal audit controls.
But they differ about how best to accomplish their shared goal. Strickland has issued an executive order that would strengthen internal auditing procedures. Taylor says a different plan is necessary and wants the legislature to pass a law mandating some of the audit requirements.
We think Taylor’s idea is the better one. In the wake of the workers’ compensation scandal, it’s important that better financial controls be required by state law rather than by order of a particular governor. Also worth trying is Taylor’s request that a commission of financial experts be formed to monitor auditing procedures.
Common sense argues that Strickland and Taylor should be able to resolve this disagreement. And the governor should see the wisdom of doing everything possible to prevent the squandering of hundreds of millions of dollars more by yet another state agency.
