Washington State House Democrats

STATE REP. LARRY SPRINGER, 45^TH DISTRICT

This has the potential to be a really great day for the Washington State Legislature, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

When I talked to voters – hundreds, thousands of them – the priorities were loud and clear. They want us in this Legislature to work harder to create good schools. They want us to work harder to create better jobs, They want us to work harder to solve the health care crisis. And they want a government that is accountable, transparent and efficient.

It’s not too much to ask. And this bill is an important part of the answer.

We’ve heard a number of comments today about whether the auditor has an effective role to play. It is important to note that in fact the auditor – the independently elected auditor – has in fact endorsed this bill.

Many of us, myself included, signed a pledge that we would bring performance audits to state government. Fifty three of us in this House signed that pledge. We are now realizing that pledge. And I want to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for making this issue as important as it has been. I also want to thank the good representative from the 30^th District for his tireless efforts. He’s the only person I know who at the very mention of the words "continuous quality improvement" gets giddy and blushes.

Mr. Speaker: People want to be proud of their government, and we owe them that pride. We have to earn it by bridging differences between political parties, like we are today. We need to show them that we hear what they are saying, and that we will respond to what they are saying, like we are today.

Supporting independent performance audits is in fact good business, it’s good economics, it’s good politics, it’s good government.

Now this bill is not going to instantly restore faith in state government. It begins. And on any trek, no matter how easy or how difficult, the most difficult step is always the first one. And we’re taking that step today.

And that’s why I’m proud to support this bill. And the Washington State Legislature should be proud of the effort that we’re going to accomplish today, and I hope that the pride is unanimous.