Press Release  In Budget Testimony, Auditor Bump Highlights FY22 Priorities

Boston — State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump testified today before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means in support of her fiscal year 2022 budget request. During her testimony, Bump detailed her office’s transition to remote work, highlighted ways it has improved government operations during this period, and discussed her agency’s priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

“While nearly every aspect of our lives has been upended, sidelined, or otherwise disrupted since we last met, I am pleased to report that my office has smoothly transitioned into virtual mode and has continued on its accountability mission,” Bump said in her testimony. “Financial support from the legislature has helped our office become a national leader in government accountability, and this continued financial commitment is increasingly important as my office undertakes auditing of federal pandemic relief allocations.”

Bump also noted that her budget request for FY22 will support her office’s efforts to assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of state spending of CARES Act allocations and other federal assistance dollars. She told lawmakers that this review will take place during her office’s regular cycle of state agency audits, and, in an effort to reduce duplication of efforts, is being conducted in coordination with the work KPMG is doing on the state’s single audit.

In addition to her budget request, Bump also called lawmakers’ attention to other areas her work has touched upon. She encouraged them to provide adequate financial resources to support the newly established Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, which was included as part of recently passed police reform legislation. A 2019 report from Bump’s office found the state did not adequately fund municipal police training in the Commonwealth.

Bump also encouraged lawmakers to adequately fund the State-Owned Land PILOT program which provides reimbursement payments to cities and towns for tax-exempt land owned by the Commonwealth. A study from Bump’s office this past year showed that inadequate funding has harmed many communities that are involved with this program. Bump highlighted legislation she has filed with State Senator Adam G. Hinds that would fix some of the problems with the program.

For fiscal year 2022, Bump is seeking a budget increase of $702,000, bringing the total appropriation to $21,170,923.

Bump's full testimony is available here.

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