Rhode Island Republicans on Tuesday renewed a long-running quest to establish an office of inspector general to reduce fraud and boost public confidence in state government.
Speaking during a mid-day Statehouse news conference ahead of the first legislative session of 2024, state GOP chairman Joe Powers was joined by House Republican Leader Mike Chippendale of Foster and Senate GOP Leader Jessica de la Cruz.
Their shared message: the roughly $1.5 million annual cost of an inspector general’s office would more than pay for itself while offering a number of positive effects.
“This office will stand as a vigilant watchdog, meticulously scrutinizing every action taken by our government,” Powers said.
“Why is the establishment of this office so crucial, you may ask,” he continued. “It is because the inspector general’s office represents an investment, a proactive investment, in the prevention and detection of fraud, waste and abuse of our precious public resources. It is a pledge to the people of Rhode Island that their hard-earned tax dollars will be utilized efficiently and effectively.”
Rhode Island currently has an office of the auditor general, which performs financial and performance audits on the state government.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers have proposed creating an inspector general for more than 10 years.
Chippendale and de la Cruz said adding an inspector general would create a post insulated from political pressure while helping to bolster citizen confidence and improve government performance.
“That is the impact of the inspector general’s office,” Chippendale said. “You know you’re being watched.”
De la Cruz said a Raimondo-era controversy involving an insurance program known as UHIP is the kind of issue suited for an inspector general’s examination.
The GOP leaders said the concept has failed to move forward for years since Democrats maintain a super-majority in the legislature. The lawmakers called on constituents to press their elected officials to support the concept.
In a statement, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi seemed cool on the idea.
“This is a perennial request and when it is introduced, it will be sent to the appropriate committee and a full public hearing will be held,” Shekarchi said. “Prior testimony has shown that there is a significant cost to this legislation.”
Asked if the lack of progress toward an inspector general will be a campaign issue during legislative races, GOP Chairman Powers called it an issue that should be discussed every day.
Political reporter Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@thepublicsradio.org.
