I am running to serve you as your next Minnesota state auditor. I am a certified public accountant, or CPA, with an active license. I was formerly audit manager at KPMG, an international public accounting firm. I am the only candidate in this race with the background, credentials, and experience as an auditor to be Minnesota's state auditor.
I am also a former two-term Minnesota state representative, serving the southern Twin Cities communities of Burnsville and Savage from 2011 through 2014. While in the Legislature, I was chief author of two government-transparency bills that the House passed unanimously and the governor signed into law. Through those, I demonstrated my leadership skills to bring people together to accomplish great work for Minnesotans.
The role of state auditor is to lead the office and set the tone to provide accountability and transparency through performing financial audits and performance reviews for more than $20 billion spent annually by Minnesota local governments.
Recently, a Dakota County official said that at least a quarter of a million dollars was missing from the county's low-income housing program. Of course, when these funds are missing, they are not available for the people who truly need them. This situation highlights the importance of the role of the Minnesota state auditor to provide accountability and transparency in the use of government funds.
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Under my leadership, the office of state auditor will perform the audits of these types of programs, as it is empowered to do under Minnesota statute and in accordance with current Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards. Or the office will conduct quality-assurance reviews of the firms performing the audits.
The work of the state auditor is crucial. When government resources are used effectively and as they are intended, there is more money for programs and projects our families and communities need, such as those that lead to road repairs, smaller school class sizes, government pensions, low-income housing, or reducing our tax burden.
The Minnesota state auditor also serves on six important state boards, including the State Executive Council. My proven leadership, applicable background, professional credentials, and related work experience as a CPA, former audit manager, and former two-term state representative uniquely qualify me to serve on these boards. As a member of the State Executive Council, I will vote in favor of responsible mining exploration, which is so important to the economy of Northeastern Minnesota and the entire state.
This last weekend I toured the Iron Range, and it was a privilege to listen to so many people. The comments I heard most frequently were, "Mining is all we have here," "I wish the people in the Twin Cities would listen to us," and, "Electing a CPA with audit experience for our state auditor just makes sense."
My candidacy for Minnesota state auditor is endorsed by the Republican Party of Minnesota, Forum Communications, former U.S. Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, Minnesota College Republicans, and Latino American Today. It is supported by the Minnesota Society of CPAs political-action committee.
My husband of 37 years, Chuck, and I are long-time residents of Burnsville, Minn., and we have three adult children. I would be honored to serve you as your next state auditor. Please vote for me, Pam Myhra, on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Pam Myhra of Burnsville, Minn., is the Republican candidate for Minnesota state auditor (pamforauditor.com). She wrote this at the request of the News Tribune Opinion page. A "Candidate's View" column from the DFL candidate for state auditor, Julie Blaha, will be published Friday.
