Government : STATE AUDITOR ROB SAND CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY ON BEHALF OF IOWA TAXPAYERS

Auditor of State Rob Sand today released the fiscal year 2024 Statements of Auditing Standards (SAS) 122 letter, a required document on the internal controls of Iowa's finances, and a review of its financial integrity. 

It includes six material weaknesses, three of which relate to Iowa's school voucher program.  A material weakness is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies in internal controls of financial reporting that are significant enough to result in a material misstatement of the entity's financial integrity.

"This is a big deal," said Auditor Sand.  "We can't audit a program that the state spent $100 million on because the state won't give us the information needed to let Iowans know how their tax dollars are being spent."

Despite multiple requests by the Auditor's Office, the Departments of Education and Revenue refused to provide proof that students receiving a voucher meet the income eligibility requirements, that the money is disbursed appropriately, or that the company contracted to administer the voucher program adequately protects participants' confidentiality and personal data.

"The Governor claimed every program should be looked at when testifying before a Congressional Oversight Committee, but then turns around and thumbs her nose at transparency and accountability of a program she championed - one that is expected to grow to more than $300 million next year," said Sand.  "Any reasonable person would wonder why they're hiding this information."

See the video of Auditor Sand's news conference on YouTube.