COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A week after criticizing the Strickland administration for not having turned in financial statements from fiscal year 2008, State Auditor Mary Taylor testified before the Ohio Senate Government Oversight Committee Wednesday morning.
NBC 4's Tom Brockman reported with the FAST FACTS.
Taylor told the committee she still has not received the financial statements from the state from the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2008.
During her testimony, she said she typically received past statements by the end of the calendar year. This year, she said the date was moved back twice -- first to March and then June and she can't get her audit done.
"We believe that it could affect, negatively affect, the bond rating of the state if we go beyond the next fiscal year and still do not have an auditing financial statement from the previous year," Taylor said.
Office of Budget Management Director Pari Sabety blamed the delay on the use of a new accounting computer system, OAKS, and said Taylor had knowledge of the possibility of delays.
Taylor acknowledges knowledge and said her office asked last year that issues with the OAKS system be made a priority.
Taylor said it is her obligation to the state to report this delay.
Sabety said the bottom line is these statements will be turned in to the Auditor's Office by June of this year.
"Like every task you take on for the first time -- even filling out your tax returns -- the first time you do it, it takes longer," Sabety said.
Sabety insisted the system is the right one for the state and all statements will be turned in by June.
In the meantime, she said accountants are making sure all the data from the system is accurate.
Some Democrats have said they believe Taylor's announcement last week may be a political move, as there has been talk she may be vying for Senator George Voinovich's seat.
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