ELECTION 2006

Montee has the experience, training for Missouri auditor

Missouri’s auditor is the state’s independent financial watchdog whose job is to protect against waste of taxpayer dollars through fraud and mismanagement.

On Nov. 7, Missourians will choose an auditor to replace Claire McCaskill, who is running for U.S. Senate. Voters should choose a successor who would effectively ferret out problems no matter who is in the governor’s office.

Both of the major-party candidates are certified public accountants and auditors of their respective counties. In those respects, each offers experience and training.

Susan Montee, the Democratic nominee who is Buchanan County auditor, is a better choice because her experience and training are broader. She has been a CPA for more than 20 years, much longer than Republican Sandra Thomas, Platte County auditor.

Further, Montee has a law degree, which would be useful if she has to go to court and defend the auditor’s right to access to public documents.

Also running are Charles Baum of the Libertarian Party and Terry Bunker of the Progressive Party.

Republican Gov. Matt Blunt’s strong endorsement of Thomas raises concerns about her ability to remain independent.

Also troubling is the finding that, under her watch, Platte County had a $195,864 discrepancy between its financial statements and its cash in the bank.

An independent audit straightened out the mess and concluded that accounting errors in Thomas’ office were a large part of the reason for the discrepancy.

Montee appears enthusiastic about doing performance audits of state agencies, which during McCaskill’s tenure have resulted in recommendations for reform in the state’s child-abuse hot line, foster care and elsewhere.

Montee says she would focus on areas that have not been audited regularly, including the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority that has been the subject of questions about the sale of its assets for college construction.

Those are excellent priorities, and Montee deserves the chance to pursue them after the Nov. 7 election.