Watchdog agency underfunding

During testimony yesterday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, two points that were already obvious to those who have been paying close enough attention, were reiterated;

1. Taxpayers are out hundreds of millions of dollars lost in investment scams.
2. The Attorney Generals Office is not in the fight, because they lack resources.

The AG's representative who testified before the committee was asked how much money they needed in order to step up. She declined to place a number on the table. A number that has been bandied about, $200K.

So for lack of $200K, the likelihood of recovering hundreds of millions of dollars is put at risk. It makes no sense.

Committee Chair Cisco McSorley said that we should prepare to raise taxes in order to cover this and similar needs. Whether revenue enhancements are used, or whether money gleaned from budget cuts is used, is moot; a distinction without a difference. Either way, money needs to flow to the watchdog agencies. The idea that the entire responsibility for pressing suits that will recover tax dollars should fall upon a whistleblower and his attorney is ridiculous.

The State Auditors Office is another watchdog in the same boat. State Auditor Hector Balderas has stated that with 1% of the budget, he could save 3-5%. It's a money maker.

If you can spend $200K to recoup $200M, it makes sense.
If you can spend a dollar to save five, it makes sense.

It makes sense to make watchdogs a funding priority.