When a multi-defendant capital crime occurs in a county with limited resources, local officials may be unable to seek justice because of the extraordinary cost of prosecuting such a case. Today, Ohio Auditor Dave Yost was joined by Senator Bob Peterson and Representative Shane Wilkin to call for legislation to address the financial strain on a community brought on by cases involving multiple victims and defendants.

Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 312 into law Thursday, establishing new safeguards to combat credit card abuse at Ohio’s local governments. 

By Dave Yost, Ohio Auditor of State

Legislation approved by the Ohio Senate in April seeks to improve accountability of the state’s Councils of Governments (COGs) and give my office authority to force the consortiums to make their existence known.

State lawmakers have passed new protections for credit cards used by local governments, legislation Auditor of State Dave Yost called for following a special report on credit card abuse issued by his office last year. 

The following statement can be attributed to Auditor of State Dave Yost regarding reforms contained in S.B. 216 and H.B. 87.

The following statement may be attributed to Auditor of State Dave Yost regarding the passage of Senate Bill 4.

Legislation passed today by the Ohio Senate would require the Auditor of State’s participation during performance audits of JobsOhio, the state’s privatized economic development agency. 

Legislation that would stiffen the penalties for public employees convicted of theft in office and alleviate some of the financial burden for their victims was approved today by the Ohio Senate in a unanimous vote.

Legislation approved by the Ohio Senate today to improve accountability of Council of Governments (COGs) will give the Ohio Auditor of State new power to force the consortiums to make their existence known.

Legislation announced today by Auditor of State Dave Yost and Sen. Steve Wilson would stiffen the penalties for public employees convicted of theft in office and alleviate some of the financial burden for their victims. 

Pending Legislation Would Establish Additional Safeguards for State’s High-Risk Medicaid Providers

Medicaid providers who are unqualified or lack records to justify payments for services have repaid only a fraction of the tens of millions of dollars they owe to the state, according to a special report released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

The following statement may be attributed to Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost regarding legislation sponsored by Sen. Bill Coley, R-Cincinnati, on oversight of the state’s medical marijuana program.

The Ohio House of Representatives today unanimously approved legislation that would require local governments to establish credit card policies to protect tax dollars. House Bill 312 now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

Auditor Yost issued this statement regarding the passage of House Bill 50 by the Ohio House.

Auditor of State Dave Yost and Sen. Peggy Lehner today announced legislation to stop the kind of Medicaid fraud and overpayments that have cost taxpayers nearly $29 million since 2011 and deprived Medicaid patients of the care those dollars are intended to provide.

• Some Entities Have Limits in Excess of $1 Million • New Legislation Would Require All Entities to Establish Guidelines

Some local governments in Ohio may be putting taxpayer money at risk because they have not instituted basic policies to prevent dishonest employees from abusing government credit cards, according to a survey released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The following statement may be attributed to Auditor Dave Yost regarding the passage of House Bill 103. The legislation makes numerous changes to the membership of financial planning and supervision commissions, which assist local governments in escaping from fiscal emergency. 

In an effort to curb fraud in Ohio’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Auditor of State Dave Yost, Rep. Tim Schaffer and Sen. Matt Huffman announced new  legislation to require photos of many recipients on the state’s SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.

Legislation granting the Auditor of State’s office authority to conduct performance audits of higher education institutions passed through the Ohio House of Representatives today and awaits Gov. John Kasich’s signature. It received Senate approval on Wednesday. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost issued this statement following the approval of language requiring his office to conduct a comprehensive performance audit of the state’s 52 Educational Service Centers (ESCs).

Auditor of State Dave Yost spoke to the Columbus Metropolitan Club today, continuing an open dialogue on proposed learning-based funding for Ohio’s electronic schools.

By the Auditor of State’s Office

A bill aimed at boosting efficiency in Ohio’s local governments passed through the Ohio House of Representatives in May and was signed by Governor Kasich June 14.

Auditor Dave Yost today called on the General Assembly to review how community schools using electronic learning are funded, suggesting reforms based on how much a child learns should play a key role in determining how a virtual school is paid.

Ohio Auditor Dave Yost today told Congress that he does not believe fraud is rampant in Ohio’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but said it does exist and is “significant” given that $2.5 billion in food stamp benefits are issued to Ohioans each year.

Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 5 into law today, allowing local governments and state agencies to request feasibility studies from the Auditor of State’s office. The studies will measure the potential benefits of sharing resources with neighboring entities.

The following statement may be attributed to Auditor of State Dave Yost concerning the Ohio House of Representatives’ passage of House Bill 5.

Proposed Legislation Grants Auditor of State Authority to Conduct Performance Audits of Institutions of Higher Learning

Auditor of State Dave Yost partnered with members of the Ohio General Assembly to draft House Bill 384, which gives the Auditor of State’s office the authority to conduct performance audits of Ohio’s institutions of higher education.  Representatives Tim Schaffer and Mike Duffey today introduced the legislation in the Ohio House of Representatives.

The Fiscal Integrity Act was presented today by Auditor of State Dave Yost, Representative Christina Hagan and Senator Tim Schaffer.  This newly proposed legislation would address the Ohio Supreme Court decision concerning former Stark County Treasurer Gary Zeigler, among other provisions to boost accountability and penalize wrong-doing.

Auditor Yost Praises Legislative Leadership on Senate Bill 4

Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost joined Governor John Kasich for the signing of Senate Bill 4 (Performance Audits) this afternoon.

The appropriations recommended by the Governor in this budget require governments across the state to live leaner. With a reduction in general fund operating expenses of 6.3%, the Auditor of State’s office is no exception.

The following may be attributed to Auditor of State Dave Yost regarding the House State Government and Elections Committee Passage of House Bill 2 concerning performance audits.

State Auditor Dave Yost Fully Supports SB 4

The following may be attributed to Auditor of State Dave Yost regarding Rep. Todd Snitchler’s (R-Uniontown) introduction of House Bill 2 concerning performance audits.