The Office of the Governor on Wednesday criticized lawmakers’ move to convene a special investigative subcommittee into the FY 2024 Single Audit, calling the effort an attempt to “politicize” the findings rather than address them.
In a statement, the administration said the audit identified “documentation gaps, internal control weaknesses, and compliance issues” but emphasized that it “does not allege fraud, corruption, or misuse of funds.”
“The Legislature is not responding to the audit, it is trying to politicize it,” the statement said.
The governor’s office said it has already begun addressing deficiencies flagged in the audit and pledged full cooperation with “any honest, fact-driven review” by auditors and oversight bodies. However, it pushed back against what it described as efforts to turn “technical audit findings into political attacks.”
The administration also pointed to the Legislature’s own fiscal decisions, noting lawmakers approved a FY 2024 budget and later added $82 million in appropriations without adjusting revenues — a practice auditors have said “is not considered prudent financial practice.”
“Before convening subpoenas and televised hearings, the Legislature should first answer for that decision,” the statement said. “Accountability is not selective.”
The governor’s office further urged scrutiny of other issues already in the public domain, including alleged reports of government property from the legislature being improperly discarded at Fort Apugan.
Despite the criticism, the administration said it remains open to collaboration with lawmakers on reforms and oversight improvements.
“We are ready to work with the Legislature—on solutions, on reforms, and on the resources needed to improve oversight across all agencies,” the statement said.
Officials added that their focus remains on “fixing what needs to be fixed, protecting public resources, and delivering responsible government.”