Oklahoma Auditor and Inspector Candidate Pledges to Support Freedom Agenda

Candidate for State Auditor and Inspector, Gary Jones, signed the Oklahoma FreedomWorks candidate survey. Here are his answers:

If elected, will you support legislation similar, if not identical, to the TABOR Amendment proposed by State Question 726, the Stop Over Spending Initiative, which would limit government spending to what was spent the previous year adjusted for inflation and population growth?

YES

If elected, will you support legislation that would allow parents greater influence over their children’s education via vouchers or education tax credits?

YES

If elected, will you support legislation to reduce the tax burden on Oklahoma taxpayers below its current level?

YES

If elected, will you support legislation requiring regular performance audits for all state agencies and programs, the consolidation of any redundant programs, and reorganization or elimination of unnecessary or inefficient programs or agencies?

YES

If elected, will you support legislation prohibiting the use of taxpayer funds to pay for education and non-emergency medical services for illegal aliens?

YES

In a half page or less, please explain any of your answers above that you feel you need to elaborate on and explain what you plan to do if elected to relieve unnecessary and burdensome government restraints and encumbrances on the citizens of Oklahoma? (Please use the back of this page or attach a separate sheet.)

Integrity Matters – Op/Ed

Gary Jones, CPA
In the midst of recent political scandals, one word comes up with regularity, but has become a catch-phrase, a cliché – “integrity.” During my travels around the great state of Oklahoma it has become crystal clear to me that the citizens of Oklahoma desire and deserve better than we’ve been getting from government, and in particular, where the stewardship of our tax dollars is concerned.
In the midst of recent political scandals, one word comes up with regularity, but has become a catch-phrase, a cliché – “integrity.” During my travels around the great state of Oklahoma it has become crystal clear to me that the citizens of Oklahoma desire and deserve better than we’ve been getting from government, and in particular, where the stewardship of our tax dollars is concerned. The office of State Auditor and Inspector is one of many statewide elected positions where the citizens of Oklahoma should demand of their elected official the highest level of integrity and moral standards. To be sure, it isn’t one of the “glamorous” jobs in state government, but rather the “meat and potatoes” of state government. The State Auditor isn’t often invited to ribbon cuttings, nor is the Auditor celebrated as one of the elected officials receiving a great deal of media attention. Except for the negative media my opponent has been receiving of late, of course.
In the midst of recent political scandals, one word comes up with regularity, but has become a catch-phrase, a cliché – “integrity.” During my travels around the great state of Oklahoma it has become crystal clear to me that the citizens of Oklahoma desire and deserve better than we’ve been getting from government, and in particular, where the stewardship of our tax dollars is concerned. The office of State Auditor and Inspector is one of many statewide elected positions where the citizens of Oklahoma should demand of their elected official the highest level of integrity and moral standards. To be sure, it isn’t one of the “glamorous” jobs in state government, but rather the “meat and potatoes” of state government. The State Auditor isn’t often invited to ribbon cuttings, nor is the Auditor celebrated as one of the elected officials receiving a great deal of media attention. Except for the negative media my opponent has been receiving of late, of course. The Auditor is the person who makes sure your tax dollars are being spent in an efficient and legal manner. It requires of the official a great deal of experience, education, and desire to crunch numbers, to be as my friends call it, “a serious bean counter.” As a Certified Public Accountant whose life dream is to work in accounting, I think I more than fit that bill.

In the midst of recent political scandals, one word comes up with regularity, but has become a catch-phrase, a cliché – “integrity.” During my travels around the great state of Oklahoma it has become crystal clear to me that the citizens of Oklahoma desire and deserve better than we’ve been getting from government, and in particular, where the stewardship of our tax dollars is concerned. The office of State Auditor and Inspector is one of many statewide elected positions where the citizens of Oklahoma should demand of their elected official the highest level of integrity and moral standards. To be sure, it isn’t one of the “glamorous” jobs in state government, but rather the “meat and potatoes” of state government. The State Auditor isn’t often invited to ribbon cuttings, nor is the Auditor celebrated as one of the elected officials receiving a great deal of media attention. Except for the negative media my opponent has been receiving of late, of course. The Auditor is the person who makes sure your tax dollars are being spent in an efficient and legal manner. It requires of the official a great deal of experience, education, and desire to crunch numbers, to be as my friends call it, “a serious bean counter.” As a Certified Public Accountant whose life dream is to work in accounting, I think I more than fit that bill. Being a farmer, and business owner with his start in rural Oklahoma, I know how important a man’s word can be. I remember the day when we could simply shake hands and a business transaction was completed. We would sit down over a cup of fresh brewed coffee at the town café, discuss the ins and outs of a deal, negotiate, come to an agreement, shake hands, and it was as good as gold – the deal was done.
It’s just not like that these days and government regulation is part of the problem, but beyond that, government officials should be the kind of person you would trust in a handshake deal. I would contend that some are not. So I have to ask the question: If you wouldn’t trust a man to deal with you privately, why would you put him in charge of auditing the state books?
Integrity does matter and it sincerely matters in government affairs. I consider it a calling of sorts to run for the office of State Auditor because it enrages me to see such wanton disdain for integrity and the appearance of impropriety.