The Bangor Daily News staff editorial of Dec. 29, titled, “OPEGA’S progress,” outlined the beginnings of desperately needed government reforms. It recognized the highly skilled work of the new independent Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA – http://www.maine.gov/legis/opega/).

Hats off to the BDN for recognizing the value and importance of fact-based, independent information when making important policy decisions at the statehouse.

What the BDN missed was OPEGA’s interim report on statewide information systems. This preliminary report revealed stunning structural failures throughout the state computer systems. The consulting firm of Jefferson Wells, working under contract for the OPEGA office, found that “procedures and documentation across the IT (Information Technology) environment need immediate attention” and “important documentation is missing.” Even more troubling, though, was the finding that in a natural or man made disaster, state systems “most likely will fail.”

In the intensely partisan atmosphere that defines Augusta politics, the truth exposed by OPEGA is invaluable, but should be seen only as a first step for state government reforms. Like any audit or review, it is only as valuable as the follow-up. Its lasting value ultimately depends upon the willingness of the executive branch to make the needed changes.

Given the disturbing fact that Gov. Baldacci opposed the creation of OPEGA and delayed its implementation for years by cutting its funding from his budget, I doubt that he has the resolve to make the system-wide changes necessary to clean up Maine government and make it function more effectively. As governor, I will give OPEGA the support it needs to get this job done.

One of my first acts as governor will be to reform all the accountability functions of state government. The role of the state auditor is to perform the federally mandated “single audit.” This is a routine federal requirement for each state to insure the proper use of federal money. However, given the unseemly number of costly errors and failures in the Departments of Human Services and of Education, as well as with the Medicaid program, it should be obvious to most taxpayers that Maine government is not sufficiently prudent with state or federal money.

I will introduce legislation to replace the State Department of Audit with an Office of the Inspector General and through it I will create a more effective and independent audit function largely free of Augusta politics. Currently the majority party in the Legislature chooses the state auditor; consequently, only loyal partisans who are “termed out” of office or who have lost an election, regardless of merit, are likely to be elected state auditor. This is simply unprofessional and unacceptable.

Several states, including Wyoming, Hawaii, West Virginia and Kansas, award their “Single Audit” to well-established and reputable accounting firms rather than conduct the audit internally. For example, Kansas, having a population twice that of Maine, pays only $300,000 a year for its contracted audit, whereas the budget for the Maine Department of Audit is almost $2.8 million a year.

When the new Office of the Inspector General has been created, I will appoint a nonpartisan team of professional, experienced financial experts to develop job qualifications, experience levels, and ethical standards for all state financial officers. This non-partisan team will interview a potential candidate to fill the position of inspector general. Gone will be the days of cronyism and political payback. The mission of the inspector general will be to seek out government waste, mismanagement and fraud in government spending, and to ensure the accountability of all state agencies.

I will then submit legislation with an appropriation to the new OPEGA office to contract out Maine’s Single Audit. When the Single Audit is complete, OPEGA will assign the inspector general to examine areas needing further review and remediation based upon the Single Audit findings. The inspector general will be directed to create scheduled work plans and reports coordinated with OPEGA to address all Single Audit findings. Noncompliance issues will be resolved as quickly as possible. The inspector general will create a seamless, transparent and nonpartisan level of accountability.

I will then engage a nationally respected consulting firm with extensive experience in government reform to review all other accountability functions, including those within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. DAFS is in desperate need of reform. It oversees most of the state revenue functions, for example, the state controller, Revenue Services, Information Technology (responsible for Maine’s dysfunctional computer system), and the Budget Office. I am appalled by the many gimmicks, questionable accounting maneuvers and blatant abuse of the state budget process that has occurred during the past three years. Most of these problems evolved from DAFS. I will transform DAFS into the competent, professional and independent unit of government.

OPEGA started an accountability revolution, but it was only a first step. Maine government has been mismanaged to the breaking point. With a staff of seven, OPEGA is too small to effect the necessary changes needed to place this state on the road to financial accountability and stability. It will take time, resolve and an unwavering commitment from the governor to make this happen.

I will provide a new vision for the state, one founded in truth and transparency in government. My administration will establish a new ethic that roots out cronyism, waste and mismanagement and replaces them with a state government we can all be proud of.

David F. Emery, of Tenants Harbor, is a Republican candidate for governor.