We join Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway in urging state employees not to shy away from reporting waste, fraud and mismanagement in state government.
A new state law could dissuade employees from reporting wrongdoing.
The auditor's office said in a news release that the signing of Senate Bill 43 means the new law removes long-standing whistleblower protections for public employees. However, reports to the Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline are anonymous and protected by law.
"Whistleblowers must be able to raise concerns about government mismanagement without fear of losing their jobs," Galloway said in the release. "As the state's only independent watchdog, I want to make sure we are able to shine a light on misuse of taxpayer dollars. Missourians deserve better."
On the federal level, some people have suggested eliminating waste/fraud will help to balance the federal budget. But despite building bridges to nowhere or paying military contractors hundreds of dollars for a nut or bolt, the actual percentage of waste uncovered is small. It's not going to make a dent in the debt.
While we didn't always agree with the politics of former President Barack Obama, he did get it right when he said this: "Often the best source of information about waste, fraud, and abuse in government is an existing government employee committed to public integrity and willing to speak out.
"Such acts of courage and patriotism, which can sometimes save lives and often save taxpayer dollars, should be encouraged rather than stifled. We need to empower federal employees as watchdogs of wrongdoing and partners in performance."
Galloway said the new state law leaves a gap that needs to be fixed.
The State Auditor's Public Employee Whistleblower Act would restore protections and add safeguards to ensure public employees can report inappropriate activity in the workplace without fear of retaliation or intimidation. She said it would reverse a trend toward secrecy, which could undermine efforts to uncover wasteful, improper and illegal uses of taxpayer money.
Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, and House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty, D-Kansas City, are planning to file the bill for the upcoming legislative session.
To contact the State Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline,email [email protected], or call 800-347-8597.
Concerns also may be submitted anonymously online at auditor.mo.gov/hotline.
We believe the majority of state government operates honestly, and with the intention of helping the public they serve. But the small percent of fraud or waste that exists should be rooted out.
We have no better watchdog than our state workforce.