Delaware officials are refuting statements made by Auditor Tom Wagner (R) that state travel policies need streamlining.
Wagner’s office released a report Wednesday outlining several missteps by elected officials like Gov. Jack Markell (D) and Treasurer Chip Flowers (D).
Five out of the six officials audited didn’t submit an out-of-state travel authorization form as required by internal human resources manuals. The Auditor’s report attributed the problems in part to a complex system that it suggest be simplified.
Robert Scoglietti, Policy Director for the Office of Management and Budget says his agency takes issue with Wagner’s sentiments.
“We disagree with the auditor that the state travel policies are confusing,” said Scoglietti. “It’s pretty basic.”
That said, he notes education efforts will be ongoing.
“We will work with agencies on the accounting and policy manual to kind of re-stress that this is an important document for agencies in order to properly document travel expenditures,” said Scoglietti.
The Republican Party’s response has been critical.
In a statement, state GOP Executive Director John Fluharty said, “Democrats will once again fail to do their job in an effort to protect Jack Markell and their friends in state government.”
In an interview Wednesday, Markell said the audit was motivated by politics.