A majority of Iowans oppose a Republican-led bill that would allow state agencies to outsource their annual audits to private CPAs, circumventing the state auditor, a position held by a Democrat, a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll finds.
Fifty-one percent oppose the proposal, compared with 43% who are in favor. Seven percent are not sure.
Senate File 2311 would allow Iowa’s state agencies to hire a nonpartisan, certified CPA for their annual audit in lieu of the state auditor’s office. It passed the Senate in February on a party-line vote and has not yet been considered in the House.
The bill comes a year after Republicans passed a law curbing the investigatory powers of State Auditor Rob Sand, Iowa’s only statewide elected Democrat.
Sand and legislative Democrats have called the new bill a political ploy to “kneecap” the auditor’s authority, while its Republican supporters say it’s a “good government” bill that will better suit a short-staffed auditing field.
Iowans’ opinions on the proposal vary along partisan lines.
Among Republicans, 49% are in favor, with 42% opposed. More Democrats dislike the bill, with 24% in favor and 72% opposed.
Independents are closely split, with 47% in favor and 49% opposed.
Fifty-one percent oppose the proposal, compared with 43% who are in favor. Seven percent are not sure.
Senate File 2311 would allow Iowa’s state agencies to hire a nonpartisan, certified CPA for their annual audit in lieu of the state auditor’s office. It passed the Senate in February on a party-line vote and has not yet been considered in the House.
The bill comes a year after Republicans passed a law curbing the investigatory powers of State Auditor Rob Sand, Iowa’s only statewide elected Democrat.
Sand and legislative Democrats have called the new bill a political ploy to “kneecap” the auditor’s authority, while its Republican supporters say it’s a “good government” bill that will better suit a short-staffed auditing field.
Iowans’ opinions on the proposal vary along partisan lines.
Among Republicans, 49% are in favor, with 42% opposed. More Democrats dislike the bill, with 24% in favor and 72% opposed.
Independents are closely split, with 47% in favor and 49% opposed.
Iowa Poll: Most Iowans dislike plan to allow outside audits, cutting out state auditor
A GOP-led bill to allow outside audits is an attempt to "kneecap" Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand, critics say. Supporters call it "good government."
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