State Representative Matt Gress (R-4) and State Senator Mark Finchem (R-1) are demanding that Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) act and take responsibility after federal officials said the state's Single Audit was "inadequate."
The Context
The Single Audit is the report that states and other entities must make when they spend over $1 million in federal funds.
On Monday, Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources Gustav Chiarello spoke before the Arizona Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) about the state's failure to meet the deadline for four consecutive years, calling Arizona's response "inadequate."
More egregiously, although the 2025 audit was due at the end of March, Auditor General Lindsey Perry suggested it could take until next March, when the 2026 audit is due, to submit it.
What Gress and Finchem are Saying
"The State has had years to get this problem under control, and at Monday's hearing we heard directly from HHS that serious concerns remain," said State Rep. Gress in a press release, adding, "Deadlines have been missed, timelines have changed, and the federal government still does not have the timely information it needs to properly oversee these programs."
Additionally, State Rep. Gress continued, "My focus is on getting this fixed. The administration needs to provide a credible plan to get Arizona caught up and make sure this does not happen again. If we fail to do that, federal funding could be put at risk, and the Arizonans who depend on these programs should not have to pay the price for the State's failure to meet basic federal accountability requirements."
Similarly, State Sen. Finchem said, "Four consecutive missed deadlines require more than another promise that things will improve. HHS is asking for a credible timeline, discipline, and direct engagement. The Governor's Office and the agencies responsible for these delays need to deliver. Arizona has to provide accurate financial information and meet the federal requirements that come with receiving these funds. Because of four years of mismanagement, Arizona will lose federal taxpayer dollars that would have benefitted Arizonans most in need."
