(STATE HOUSE)-State Auditor Connie Nass has identified millions of dollars that could be used to alleviate Indiana's temporary budget shortfall. She will discuss these potential savings at a news conference on Saturday, March 9, 2002 at 5 p.m. at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds Community Building.

Auditor Nass indicated that her staff has identified $278.4 million that could be used to address the state's budget deficit without raising taxes or reducing services. "The governor is either unaware of, or has chosen to ignore, this opportunity," said Nass. "This money can be used to prevent tax increases to support a temporary shortfall in the General Fund and without affecting any present program. Before he can, in good faith, ask Hoosier taxpayers for permanent tax increases, he must first examine the use of every dollar already collected. Hard working Hoosiers deserve that kind of effort from their leaders."

Nass calls on Governor O'Bannon to conduct a thorough examination of existing accounts before any consideration is given to permanent tax increases to address the state's temporary budgetary shortfall. Throughout the current legislative session, Governor O'Bannon has proposed permanent tax increases and threatened cuts to essential services including education to address the state's budget deficit.

"The governor has stated that he has cut state spending to the bone, but this evidence suggests that he has yet to pick up the knife," said Nass.

"With the governor's insistence on increasing taxes, our office began an examination of these accounts to see if potential savings to Hoosier taxpayers could be found. The Senate had the good sense to include some of these funds in the latest version of House Bill 1004. That the administration has either overlooked or ignored these balances is mind-boggling," Nass continued. The Administrative Services Revolving Account, the Financial Responsibility Compliance Verification Fund, and the Recycling Promotion Assistance Fund are three examples identified by Auditor Nass.

At a news conference held earlier this week to announce the state auditor's findings, State Senator Robert Meeks, (R) LaGrange, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee's Budget Subcommittee, agreed. "Any ideas that help resolve the State's budget problems without raising taxes or hurting our most vulnerable citizens are certainly worth serious consideration," said Meeks.

State Representative Jeff Espich, (R) Uniondale, ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, concurred. "I'm both surprised and disappointed that the Administration has not already identified this as a possible source of funding. I'm glad that our State Auditor is doing just that and bringing forth creative alternatives that protect the Hoosier taxpayer."

"Every Hoosier taxpayer dollar counts," declared Auditor Nass. "We surely should use the money that state government already has before the governor asks for more."