April 03, 2003
April 3, 2003
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed her first public act into law when she approved Senate Bill 160 sponsored by Senator Bruce Patterson (R-Canton).
"Senator Patterson did a commendable job crafting this legislation," Granholm said. "This bill is an example of both parties working together to ensure that Michigan continues to have strong ethics and good government."
Senate Bill 160, which upon signing became Public Act 1 of 2003, creates a new act to specify the responsibilities and authority of the Auditor General consistent with the Michigan Constitution. These include: conducting audits and examinations of all state departments and agencies; restoring the Auditor General's subpoena power that was inadvertently removed in 2002, and providing authority to compel production of documents.
"I am honored to have my bill be the first bill signed into law by our new Governor," said Patterson. "Moreover, I agree with the Governor's assessment that this legislation is an example of the executive branch and legislative branch working together to ensure good government is the rule in our great state of Michigan. Governor Granholm and her staff have been most cooperative, inclusive, and gracious in working this issue through the process."
The Office of the Auditor General was created within the legislative branch in the Michigan Constitution of 1963. Public Act 370 of 2002 changed antiquated references from auditor general to the state treasurer, and as result, the auditor general inadvertently lost its power to issue subpoenas in connection with audits and investigations.
Granholm added that restoring the power of subpoena is essential, because the state relies on the auditor general to serve as a "watchdog" for state government.
