Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Newly Elected Montee Questions MOHELA Deal

Newly elected Democratic Auditor Susan Montee is raising questions about a severance package paid to the dismissed director of Missouri's Higher Education Loan Authority (MoHELA).

Some say this is Montee's first shot across the bow to Governor Matt Blunt and his plan to sell off some of MoHELA's assets to pay for capital improvements.

Montee said the $830,000 severance package being paid to outgoing director Michael Cummins through next October, "illustrates the need for additional oversight of quasi-governmental boards, whose missions often relate to economic development and educational programming."

"Should Missouri be providing $830,000 golden parachutes to employees we fire?" Montee asked.

As further examples of boards and commissions that control millions of dollars with little oversight, Montee cited the Missouri Technology Corporation and the Missouri Development Finance Board.

"These agencies, whose missions are to further educational and economic development opportunities, receive little or no review by the legislative branch of government," Montee continued, "yet they spend millions of taxpayer and student loan dollars every year. Helping Missourians understand what is happening in situations like this is exactly why I ran for State Auditor."

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