2008 LifePac Survey Response

 

Dear LifePac:

Thank you for the opportunity to briefly describe for you the responsibilities of the Office of State Auditor. This office does not received much attention, but it is absolutely essential to good, accountable government. In that way, it provides great value to the citizens of Washington.

Obviously, the State Auditor has no affect on the specific issues raised by LifePac in your 2008 Federal/State Questionnaire. There is only one fundamental issue for the Office. It is accountability, making sure government officials serves as good stewards over the taxpayer dollars they are entrusted with. I define accountability was government being open, accessible, responsible and responsive. Government also must listen to people and when it talks to them, it must tell the truth.

The founders of Washington State created a very independent Office of State Auditor and set it in the Constitution as the auditor of all public accounts. We were not created to serve as just another government finance shop. We are the public’s auditor, working directly for all state citizens. We audit the books and accounts of every state agency and local government in the state. There are 2,700 individual entities, who collectively spend more than $90 billion in taxpayer dollars each year. Under the recent authority granted by citizens supported Initiative 900, we also conduct performance audits of state and local government to ensure government is operating both efficiently and effectively.

From a personal standpoint, the responsibilities of this office line up well with my values and background. It is an honor to serve as your State Auditor, and I take my responsibilities very seriously.

Again, thanks for the opportunity to state my views.

Brian Sonntag

Wife Jann Sonntag's Employment

Jann Sonntag
Capital Campaign Director
Tacoma Rescue Mission
702 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-383-4462
web site: www.trm.org

Pro Abortion Answers on a Third Party Questionnaire
Retrieved 10/27/08 from: http://www.kcdems.org/temp/Candidates2008/questionnaires/brian.sonntagq.pdf

"What is your position on civil right for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered people?  What is your position on equal rights for same-sex couples when it comes to benefits, civil unions, marriage and parental rights?

Answer: These equal rights are fundamental, and they are common sense rights."