COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State Auditor Mary Taylor has criticized the Strickland administration for failing to produce financial statements on time.
She said she the statements are needed to complete the 2008 state audit.
Taylor is a Republican who has disagreed with Strickland's financial decisions in the past.
The Democratic party questioned whether Taylor's outcry was more of a political ploy.
NBC 4's Ana Jackson reported with BOTH SIDES of the issue.
Taylor argued she's protecting your taxpayer dollars, and that it's irresponsible for the Strickland administration to create budgets without the audit.
The Dems said Taylor is trying to score political points.
Taylor wasn't buying the excuse that the new OAKS computer system delayed financial reports.
"It's been a difficult transition, but it's like any transition -- you make a priority of getting the right information out of the system," Taylor said.
Democrats argued Taylor knew about the delay months ago. They said they believe there are ulterior motives behind Taylor's Monday press conference.
"Frankly, she wants to try and move herself ahead of the ticket because she's the highest ranking Republican official in the state right now," Doug Kelly said.
Kelly is the executive director of the Ohio Democratic Party.
There has been talk that Taylor is vying for Senator George Voinovich's seat in Congress.
"I am undecided," Taylor said when Jackson about the seat.
but you've been talking to the republican party about it?
Taylor said Republican supporters have asked her whether the seat were something she would consider.
Jackson asked Taylor whether the announcement more of a political agenda.
"My announcement is about transparency, and I am obligated to the citizens of Ohio as an elected official to inform them of what going on with their taxpayer dollars at the state level to the extent I am aware," Taylor said.
Jackson asked Kelly how would taxpayers be assured in this climate budget decisions are being made properly without the audit?
"Because the budget priorities and where the money is being spent and how it's being done -- Strickland has a clear record on that," Kelly said.
Jackson asked Taylor whether she had any reason to believe the Strickland administration is misspending money or that there is fraud going on?
"We don't have any specific evidence that there is misspending or fraud. But the point is without the opportunity to look at financial statements and complete the audit, there are so many unanswered questions," Taylor said.
Each government entity in Ohio has a deadline to file financial statements with the auditor --except for the state government.
This is an issue Taylor said she'll discuss when she testifies before the Senate next week.
For additional information on this developing story, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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