There appears to be a certain illogical resistance to creating an independent Office of the Inspector General by some members of the Delaware General Assembly.
Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 21, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Woodbrook, is the latest effort to create such an office that would benefit all Delawareans and taxpayers by developing a more transparent public access to government agencies, officials and situations that affect all of us. It would expose incidents of theft, waste and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars. It’s certainly a worthwhile endeavor and enjoys the support of many legislators and at least 17 groups that support open and transparent government and handling of taxpayer resources.
It makes me, and others, question why exactly SB 21 emerged unanimously from the Senate Executive Committee but is now being stalled by the actions, or lack thereof, of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s leadership. The motives of certain leaders in the Senate are not mine to presume or question, but if one considers the startup costs of the office — identified at less than $1 million — then the public deserves honest answers. Considering that $15 million of taxpayer money is being donated to Incyte, and over $180 million of taxpayer money is set aside for Port of Wilmington operations, it is unimaginable that funding for an Office of the Inspector General, a small amount by comparison, is not being made available, and the bill is being consigned to a desk drawer veto of sorts.
It is well established, by the record, that many other states that have inspectors general have benefited from recoveries of money that offset any costs of such an office. It has also been well established that these inspector general offices have improved the efficiency of government agencies and have guaranteed the public a cleansing transparency that enables citizens to have an accessible resource for raising concerns. In light of the recent scandal involving embezzlement of unemployment funds and the failure to communicate that situation by the heads of Delaware’s Department of Labor, Office of Management and Budget, and Department of Finance, there is a very clear and immediate picture for the need of an independent office to investigate and scrutinize potential or actual wrongdoing.
So, once again, I will ask why certain members of the General Assembly continue to obstruct passage of SS 1 for SB 21. They should move forward with this bill or explain to the public what they fear if this agency is created.
Do they fear the “truth”? Do they fear exposure of their own actions? Do they fear that public taxpayers will demand accountability?
Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself,” and I think it’s very honest and reasonable to say, “We have nothing to fear from the truth.”
Members of Delaware’s General Assembly, do you agree?
John Kowalko
Retired state representative
Newark
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