Tensions are high after a series of critical audits were released in recent weeks, and Republican lawmakers are calling on Gov. Wes Moore to be more transparent about what his administration is doing to ensure there is accountability.
The Social Services Administration audit revealed the agency lacked criminal background check protocols to ensure foster care children weren’t around people on the state’s sex offender registry.
The audit of the State Highway Administration revealed the agency “knowingly charged” more than $350 million in unauthorized projects. The audit alleges the agency attempted to shield how much money was actually in the Transportation Trust fund.
“I think the governor needs to come out and tell the people of Maryland that he is aware of the and not blame the previous administration like he has in the past,” Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey said.
Hershey, who is also weighing a bid for governor himself, said the series of audits raise questions about government effectiveness under Moore’s leadership. However, while both audits did include time under Moore, the issues also took place under the previous administration.
“At some point the governor of Maryland has to govern. That’s what we haven’t seen. We’ve seen him go to a number of different places across the country, we’ve seen him campaign to be president, but we haven’t seen him govern,” Hershey said. “Marylanders need to know that the agencies that the governor is running are not performing to the standards that they should.”
Responding to the findings in the SSA audit, David Turner, Gov. Wes Moore’s communications director, applauded Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael Lopez’s leadership, saying DHS “has made important and critical strides to improve the oversight and management of the department.”
“This audit is a stark indication of how much more work there is to do and is a grave reminder of the sacred responsibility that the State of Maryland bears to the citizens we serve—especially when it comes to protecting our children. Regardless of which administration is the origin of these problems, we are charged to hold the systems that serve our most vulnerable citizens accountable,” Turner continued. “The audit findings must be addressed in the most certain terms, immediately.”
As for the SHA audit, Gov. Moore’s team said the agency follows “routine, federally approved accounting processes when determining how and when activities are charged to federal accounts.”
When asked about the specific criticism from Hershey, Turner said Gov. Moore has been “steadfast in his commitment to rebuilding state systems that have crumbled under years of neglect – addressing symptoms of dysfunction passed from the previous administration head-on,” since taking office.
“While there’s much more work to do to remedy a near-decade of negligence, the governor is resolute about continuing the progress made over the past two and a half years,” Turner continued. “The people of Maryland deserve nothing less.”
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