House committee sends merger on its way

 INDIANAPOLIS -- The House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee passed a resolution on Tuesday that calls for the combination of the state treasurer's and state auditor's offices.

 

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. John Bartlett, D -Indianapolis, said 28 other states have combined the offices in a similar fashion. He also said it would save taxpayers money.

 

“If we combine those two offices, I think we can save the taxpayers... close to $870,00.” he said.

 

Treasurer Richard Mourdock told the committee that the offices are unrelated. He also said that two separate offices should deal with finances to create more transparacy.

 

Though the resolution passed, 9-3, many of the panel’s members qualified their vote and said they wanted to study the issue more thoroughly.

 

The Association of Indiana Counties echoed Mourdock’s testimony about the need for more than one office to have the responsibility of government finances.