Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo is asking Auditor Mike Harmon if the General Assembly can authorize an audit of another branch of government.
In a letter to the auditor, the Democratic representative says during budget negotiations, there were concerns about the “accuracy of financial information from other branches of government.”
“This led to discussion about requiring an audit," wrote Stumbo. "I am seeking your opinion as to whether you believe the General Assembly has the authority to request that your office conduct an audit of another agency or branch of government.”
The request also pertains to audits of quasi-state entities such as postsecondary education institutions. Stumbo notes that the recently-enacted budget includes funds for a performance audit of state-administered retirement systems.
“This particular study will give us a much stronger foundation on which to make future funding decisions,” Speaker Stumbo said. “I think we need to take similar steps to make sure all of the state tax dollars the General Assembly appropriates are based on solid, verifiable information. I am writing the auditor to see what his views of the matter are in this area.”
