Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington budget cuts are hurting the state’s ability to follow through with voter-approved initiatives.

That’s the complaint Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag lays out in a scathing letter to a fellow Democrat -- Speaker of the House Frank Chopp.

He’s angry the budget deal struck by House and Senate Democrats cuts nearly $30 million from his performance audit fund.

Speaking by phone from Dallas, Sonntag calls it a “sucker punch.” Brian Sonntag: “This was a citizen initiative passed in 2005 by a close to 60-percent yes vote, which is unheard of for most citizen initiatives. This kind of accountability, this transparency wasn’t being delivered anywhere else and they trusted this office to deliver.”

Performance audits are studies to see if taxpayers are getting the best bang-for-their-buck from government agencies and programs.

Sonntag calls the cuts “ridiculous” and “offensive” and says they will “severely undercut” his ability to conduct future audits.

Legislative Democrats defend the cut and say Sonntag can earn more cash for audits by finding efficiencies in state government.