Auditor refuses meeting with Senate committee
The first meeting between the senate subcommittee focused on the audit and the auditor's team was heated and largely unproductive, with both sides volleying frosty questions and continuing to argue the issue of whether an audit would violate the separation of powers clause of the constitution.
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The state auditor told reporters on Friday that her team will not participate in the next meeting.
'It is very clear that this is just another maneuver and tactic to get out of following the 72% voter-approved mandate that our office conduct an audit of the state Legislature,' said Auditor Diana DiZoglio.
The auditor called on her followers on X to contact the attorney general and request she stop the 'kangaroo court' Senate committee hearing, which she says is unconstitutional in and of itself.
The Senate committee sees the issue differently. They said this type of meeting is necessary to both iron out constitutional concerns and ensure they understand the scope and requirements of the requested audit.
'The Subcommittee needs answers to these fundamental questions and will be conducting a hearing to seek input and guidance,' said Senator Cindy Friedman, Chair of the Senate committee.
This comes after the House of Representatives voted against a new rule which would clarify the House's compliance with an audit just last week.
With the auditor's refusal to participate in the Senate hearing, it appears the only possible path forward for her team is to take the legislature to court, but her team said they have not yet filed a lawsuit.
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