Fiona Ma Calls For State Auditor Investigation of the Board of Equalization

At the monthly Board of Equalization (BOE) meeting today, Board Members are discussing a proposed governance policy for the Board. Board Member Fiona Ma, CPA says a governance policy is a good first step but more needs to be done.

  ·  For Immediate Release

Independent Auditor Needed For Accountability 

Sacramento - At the monthly Board of Equalization (BOE) meeting today, Board Members are discussing a proposed governance policy for the Board. Board Member Fiona Ma, CPA says a governance policy is a good first step but more needs to be done.

"I have always focused on increasing transparency and efficiency at the BOE. I have consistently pushed the BOE to adopt reforms that would impose appropriate checks and balances, greater accountability, and increased transparency. I believe the agency can change and we can do better - we have to do better. More still needs to be done. I am urging the Legislature to immediately direct the State Auditor to investigate the day-to-day affairs of the BOE," said Board Member Ma.

The State Auditor's purpose is to improve California government by assuring the performance, accountability, and transparency our citizens deserve of their government agencies, and already carries the mechanisms and infrastructure to execute the required tasks.

"The State Auditor has knowledge of the agency and the expertise needed to conduct this level of investigation and audit. More importantly, the independence of the office will enable the Auditor to ask the hard questions needed to get to the root of the problems facing the agency," said Board Member Ma.

Board Member Ma is requesting the State Auditor issue a report as soon as possible to the Legislature and Governor that would include recommendations on administrative and legislative remedies to immediately address the findings in the various audits.

Specifically, Board Member Ma is requesting the State Auditor to:

"I look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature on the recommendations on how to reform the BOE to restore the public's trust," said Board Member Ma.

Read the May 23, 2017 letter sent to Senator Richard Roth, the April 27, 2017 letter sent to Senator Richard Roth, and the March 27, 2017 letter sent to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.