State auditor talks politics with Marshalltown voters
T-R PHOTOS BY TREVOR BABCOCK — Iowa’s State Auditor Rob Sand speaks to local voters in Marshalltown about his office’s recent investigations while also answering questions about state policy.
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand made a stop in Marshalltown to talk about what his office has been up to and answer questions from residents.
About 15 people showed up in Elk’s Park Tuesday afternoon to hear from Sand. Several attendees thanked Sand for being the state auditor. While he detailed some of the recent investigations the office has taken part in, Sand answered questions about local control of government, public information requests and voting laws.
He also explained the function of the state auditor’s office, which he said serves as the taxpayer’s watchdog making sure taxpayer money is spent legally at all levels of government. He said he has received criticism from both Republicans and Democrats regarding his investigations, such as the investigation into Gov. Kim Reynolds spending federal relief funds on advertisements as well as an open investigation into a former Democrat Scott County auditor who, according to public reports, incorrectly paid election workers for more than 24 hours in a day.
“This office is supposed to be aggressive on behalf of everybody, it’s not supposed to be partisan,” Sand said. “It’s really supposed to call balls and strikes and go after people when they deserve it and so that’s what we’ve been doing.”
Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer along with Rep. Sue Cahill (D-Marshalltown) attended the event. Cahill asked Sand what the state auditor’s office does to ensure elections are honest and fair.
Mayor Joel Greer (left) and Rep. Sue Cahill (right) listen to State Auditor Rob Sand at his event in Marshalltown on Tuesday.
“Ultimately on election issues, we can really mostly just look at whether or not someone’s following the law, whether or not money is getting spent legally and whether it’s getting put to its best use,” Sand said.
He further stated there is no voter fraud happening in Iowa to any degree to be concerned about, and said the most recent changes to voting laws in Iowa which cut early voting periods and tightened restrictions on absentee ballots are unnecessary.
“While we don’t have much oversight, I can certainly speak in terms of the use of taxpayer resources and I can tell you what they’re doing isn’t serving the public,” Sand said.
He also spoke about the Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program, which helps local governments reduce operating costs and save money. Marshall County is a participant in the program.
“The ability to run for office and then win, set up a new system that hadn’t been in place to start saving money all over the state was super exciting, and so here I am,” Sand said.
The heart of the program is a five-page long checklist including basic money saving practices, ranging from tips such as moving couches away from air ducts to save on energy costs, to bigger suggestions like publicly-owned solar installations.
Sand’s stop in Marshalltown is a part of a wider 99 county tour. One attendee asked Sand what the purpose of his visit was and if he has plans to run for higher office. He replied by saying the tour’s purpose is to have conversations with voters.
“I think it’s a good thing to do,” Sand said. “I actually think it’s more important for the state auditor to do it than any other statewide elected official.”
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Contact Trevor Babcock at 641-753-6611 or
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- T-R PHOTOS BY TREVOR BABCOCK — Iowa’s State Auditor Rob Sand speaks to local voters in Marshalltown about his office’s recent investigations while also answering questions about state policy.
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- Mayor Joel Greer (left) and Rep. Sue Cahill (right) listen to State Auditor Rob Sand at his event in Marshalltown on Tuesday.
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