Updated: Ross Hunter and Kathy Lambert respond to State Audit - many issues need to be resolved.

Updated: FROM ROSS HUNTER'S PRESS RELEASES of 6/23/09
"The State Audit of King County Finances was released today. The report found that King County's internal financial controls are a combination of numerous systems with significant holes, leaving the system open for potential abuse of public funds.

"It's clear that King County government has been grossly mismanaged by the executive and existing council offices," says Hunter. "This audit proves that current government has been asleep at the wheel. The next executive must be someone who comes from outside county government and has real experience managing budgets."

[Phillips called for interim director Triplett to come up with a plan to address the situation within 60 days, while Dow asked that a King County Audit Commission be created.

"Calling for a plan now is like yelling for the horses after you left the barn door open all night," says Hunter.]

Hunter wants to replace the antiquated accounting system with a modern computer system to manage county government, create cooperatives with local cities to streamline processes, and to readjust the permitting process. "We cannot achieve our housing, transportation and public health goals without seriously changing how we do business. I am ready to tackle the problems facing King County and get out financial systems in order."

- Former Microsoft Executive Ross Hunter is a four-term legislator from the 48th Legislative District on the Eastside. He is Chair of the Finance Committee in the Washington State House of Representatives.

FROM KATHY LAMBERT, by email on June 23, '09
"There is a county audit that came out this morning. It has many issues that need to be resolved. The basis of the issue is that the county charter does not allow the council to have direct oversight of the departments. This is a strong home rule charter county where the executive has more powers than I think are appropriate for one branch of government. This is the 14th largest county in the nation and should have more people doing oversight of more details than our charter allows."

- Kathy Lambert, King County Councilmember serves Redmond, Woodinville, NE Bellevue, Sammamish, Duvall, Issaquah, N. Bend, Preston...

Kathy's home page: http://www.kingcounty.gov/Lambert.aspx
Ross's home page: http://rosshunter.com/