 News Release
______________________
For
Immediate Release:
REBECCA OTTO RUNNING FOR STATE AUDITOR
March 23, 2005
STATE CAPITOL -- Former State Representative Rebecca Otto (DFL - Marine on St Croix)
today announced her run for State Auditor in 2006:
It is with great excitement that I am taking a new
step forward to bring our shared message of fiscal conservatism, balance
& reason, teamwork, and leadership to a state-wide audience by running
for State Auditor in 2006.
Having been a school board member, a successful small business owner,
and a DFL state representative, I know the importance of good conservative
fiscal policy and long term planning.
While on school board, I was part of steering the district out of
statutory operating debt. We brought the district in under budget while
improving services.
As a small business owner, I built a 50-employee business. I am no
stranger to balance sheets, long range planning, and creating
efficiencies and success.
As a DFL state rep, I focused my energies on the budget. I did this because
the budget determines our future as a state. I fought for good
conservative fiscal policy because this ends up being the most cost
effective model and makes the most efficient use of tax dollars, which
benefits us all.
For instance, I called attention to the questionable practice of
including inflation in the revenue forecast, but not in expenditures.
This is not done in business, and it certainly should not be done in
government. As a state, we should always strive to be the best.
As Auditor, my job is to be there for the taxpayers first, and to serve
as a watchdog for the citizens of Minnesota. The office of Auditor is
incredibly important to our long term success as a state. As we continue
to face fiscal challenges, more financial stress will be placed on local
units of government. As Auditor, I will be there to work with local
government to make the best decisions and to encourage best practices.
We don’t have to reinvent the wheel when one local unit has a good thing
that can be shared with others. By doing this we can ensure the best use
of taxpayer dollars in tight times, and we all win.
I intend to lay out my vision for the office of State Auditor in the
months ahead. |
