Friday, March 14, 2014

State Auditor can now review economic development projects

State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued the following press release:


State Funded Programs Added to Auditor’s Purview

House Bill 1318 passes both Chambers without a dissenting vote

JACKSON- Landmark legislation allowing the State Auditor’s Office to conduct compliance and performance audits on state-funded economic development bond programs has unanimously passed both the House of Representatives and Senate.  It is now on its way to Governor Phil Bryant, who has supported the need for such legislation since his service as State Auditor. 

House Bill 1318 allows the Auditor to audit programs administered by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) that heretofore have had little or no independent, third party, oversight even though they all utilize taxpayer money.  One such previously unaudited program helped fund the failed Beef Processors Plant in Yalobusha County.

“I am grateful to Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, House Speaker Philip Gunn, members of the legislature and our other state leaders for their support of this important measure,” State Auditor Stacey Pickering said. “I particularly thank MDA for their cooperation in crafting this measure.

“This is good-government legislation which will allow my office to work with MDA to conduct necessary audits of projects beyond the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Act, hence further protecting Mississippi taxpayers.” 

Since 2009, several hundred million dollars in incentives have been awarded by MDA that the State Auditor has not had the authority to audit.

Pickering especially praised Representative Jerry Turner, R-Baldwyn, for authoring House Bill 1318 and Senator David Blount, D-Jackson, who helped maneuver the bill through the Senate.

“Jerry and David have both been steadfast in their support of transparency in government.  They share my belief that no public funds are too sacred to be off limits for the Auditor’s Office to monitor the way they are spent.  On behalf of all Mississippi taxpayers we thank them both for all their efforts,” Pickering said. 

Specifics of the legislation:

·         Allows risk assessment and long-term cost benefit analysis of economic development programs
·         Adds higher risk programs to audits
·         Maintains OSA’s high standards of auditing without endangering private sector proprietary and confidential data

Kingfish note: Good place to start: Kior.  Postponed their earnings call and report that were supposed to take place yesterday until next week when the company will also release its annual report.  

8 comments:

Claire Underwood said...

Curious to see if "can investigate" will translate to "will investigate"

Anonymous said...

Better place to start - existing authority. Go down the street from Auditor's office to Hinds County Courthouse; audit past few years under Robert Graham's 'leadership'; pay particular interest in Airwaves' contracts.

Glad for auditor's success in getting this legislation passed, but disappointed in his failure to look into contracting practices in the courthouse.

Anonymous said...

Nailed it, 8:51. Stacey is one of the worst auditors in recent memory. Lazy doesn't begin to cover it.

Anonymous said...

That so called ordained Baptist preacher clown could not audit the Kangaroo store/station on High Street. What a joke his office is, he will be overwhelmingly re-elected next year, what happens when all the voters live in the land of the blind.

Anonymous said...

Is this not a joke? The man and/or his office did not audit state agencies, like the DMR, for 10 years and so they are going to give him more over site. And when he found that the Ms. Marine Resource Foundation had misused over a million dollars he settled for two 30 year old boats that were donated to the Foundation, sold them and forgave over $900,000. from his dear friends who did not spend one penny out of pocket to settle the matter. Yet he will run for the camera every time he finds a school clerk stealing a few thousand dollars and do his best to have that person sent to prison. The man just needs to go back to being a huckster, I mean consultant and allow a real auditor an opportunity to do the job right.This article is a joke,right?

Anonymous said...

Like Stacey Pickering,this is a joke,right? He has a whole list of agencies he has not audited since he took office. Why would anybody think he needs more to oversee?

Anonymous said...

No way in Hades that Pickering investigates any of the projects on the long list of Haley Barbour failures. No way. The way Barbour handed out money to boondoggles the only way to differentiate him from President Epic Fail is by his shade.

Anonymous said...

Seems as I recall the circuit clerk is responsible for records organization (book-keeping) for the board of supervisors. Where is he in the complaint section?



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.