No money for audit of Career Tech system

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The state is coming up short on funds to pay for a $225,000 audit of the Career Tech system. <br><br>Gov. Frank Keating requested the audit of the vocational education system, but

Thursday, June 27th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The state is coming up short on funds to pay for a $225,000 audit of the Career Tech system.

Gov. Frank Keating requested the audit of the vocational education system, but so far, there is no money to do it.

Ann Benson, head of the state Career Tech Department, told the state auditor and inspector her agency doesn't have the money. Auditor Cliff Scott said he can't afford to pay for it either.

``If the governor has any discretionary funds, maybe they could be used,'' Scott said Wednesday. ``If he wants it done by December, we should have gotten started already.''

Secretary of State Mike Hunter said that according to the law, the agency being audited has to pay for the audit.

Benson told Scott last month that her agency does not have any extra money because of this year's budget cuts.

The secretary of state said government officials are waiting on Benson.

``It has been politely suggested to the director that she rethink her position,'' Hunter said.

He said it is possible that the state auditor and the Career Tech director could work out a cost for the audit that is less than $225,000.

Keating requested the audit after complaints about the budget of the state Career Tech office in Stillwater. The state's 29 Career Tech centers receive two-thirds of their support, about $209 million, from local millage taxes.