Mike Beebe Calls For Audit Of Forestry Commission
January 16, 2012 Leave a Comment
By The Associated Press
1/12/2012 2:33:40 PM
LITTLE ROCK (AP) – Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe called on Thursday for legislative auditors to examine the Forestry Commission’s finances after a $4 million shortfall that prompted the layoff of 36 workers, and indicated that the audit’s findings may determine whether the agency’s director still has his support.
The governor said he hopes legislative auditors look at why the agency improperly used federal funds to prop up its budget over the years. He said last week he would ask the Legislature to use $2.7 million from the state’s surplus to pay back the grants and keep the agency solvent through the year.
Beebe’s office and finance officials have said the commission misled them on whether it had the authority to use the federal funds for its operations.
“The question is, why did they do that?” Beebe told reporters. “Was it a mistake? Was it intentional? Were they told to do that by somebody? Who knew about that? Those are the questions I want answered as fast as we can get them answered.”
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