Mississippi auditor Shad White slashes Magnolia State waste
Mississippi State Auditor Shad White is set to release a groundbreaking compilation of audits that reveal a staggering $400 million in wasted funds during his time in office. White, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, likened his office to the Mississippi Office of Government Efficiency (MOGE), drawing comparisons to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration.
The audits conducted by White’s office cannot directly cut wasteful spending, but they do serve as a crucial tool in alerting state lawmakers to areas of concern. The upcoming 800-page report will detail the breakdown of the $400 million in waste, highlighting issues such as Medicaid subsidies going to ineligible recipients and exorbitant spending on items like televisions.
White emphasized the importance of efficient spending in a state where 20% of the population lives below the poverty line. He uncovered instances of misspent welfare appropriations, including funds allocated for community gardens that were never built and money intended to help the poor being used for beauty pageant sponsorships.
The state auditor also pointed out questionable expenditures in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, citing examples like microaggression training sessions for engineers and grants for social justice yoga for preschoolers. With $11 million in taxpayer funds going to DEI efforts at colleges alone, White stressed the need for accountability and transparency in government spending.
White highlighted the need for state governments across the country to take a closer look at their finances, particularly in light of recent efforts at the federal level to address fraud, waste, and abuse. He commended other state auditors, such as Oklahoma’s Cindy Byrd, for their work in uncovering government waste and emphasized the importance of collaboration among states to root out inefficiency.
As Mississippi prepares to confront its own fiscal challenges, White’s audit findings serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and taxpayers alike. The pursuit of government efficiency, he believes, is a shared responsibility that requires vigilance at every level of governance.
In conclusion, the tireless efforts of auditors like Shad White shed light on the need for fiscal responsibility and transparency in government spending. By identifying and addressing wasteful practices, states can ensure that taxpayer dollars are allocated effectively and ethically. As the $400 million audit report is unveiled, Mississippi and other states have an opportunity to reevaluate their financial practices and prioritize accountability for the benefit of all citizens.
