Missouri Auditor

State Audit Released On Mo. Public Defenders

Maria Altman — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:34:43 +0000

The Missouri state auditor released a report Wednesday on the state’s Public Defender system.

Among the findings: public defenders need to better track the hours they spend on each case and update the standards they use to determine what’s the appropriate caseload.

Auditor Tom Schweich says Public Defenders have relied on national standards that are out-of-date.

Elk herd "doing well" after first year in Missouri

Marshall Griffin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 23:14:42 +0000

Missouri’s elk population appears to be settling into their new home state, according to state conservation officials.

Dr. Joseph Millspaugh of the University of Missouri -- Columbia updated the Missouri Conservation Commission today on the state’s elk herd, which he says seems to be doing well.

“(We have) evidence of survival rates (and) reproductive rates that are average to high," Millspaugh said. "We see diet quality certainly within the range of what we would expect.”

Monarch Fire District making improvements, Mo. Auditor's follow-up finds

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:45:51 +0000

The State Auditor’s Office is pleased overall with efforts by the Monarch Fire Protection District in Chesterfield to implement changes recommended in a recent audit.

In February, Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich (R) gave the Monarch Fire District a “C,” in part for its early retirement incentives package that violated the State Constitution. Spokesman for the Auditor’s office, Spence Jackson, says their recommendations there have yet to be implemented.

“They told us that that’s not something that they’re going to have to deal with again for another couple of years," Jackson said. "But they did indicate that they would apply more due diligence with how future retirement incentives are handled, and we’re pleased with that.”

Mo. Supreme Court hears ballot initiative lawsuits

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 03:18:07 +0000

Six lawsuits involving three ballot initiatives were heard Monday by the Missouri Supreme Court.

At stake are ballot questions that would raise Missouri’s cigarette tax, raise the minimum wage to $8.25 an hour, and cap interest rates on payday loans. The fate of all three may turn on whether the State Auditor has the authority to estimate the financial impact of citizens’ petition initiatives. Attorney Ronald Holliger argued that the High Court should uphold a lower court ruling supporting the State Auditor’s authority.

Mo. Auditor's office: zero costs/savings for judicial and health exchange ballot questions

Marshall Griffin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:30:53 +0000

Two ballot questions going before Missouri voters in November won’t cost or save the state any money, according the State Auditor’s office.

One in particular would make changes to how appellate judges are selected. The fiscal note for that measure was put together by Deputy Auditor Harry Otto.

“(We contacted) four statewide offices, 20 other departments/agencies, the House and Senate," Otto said. "Out of those 24 places that we contacted we received comments from 16, and all 16 said ‘no costs associated with this measure.’”