State Rep. Kristin Robbins criticized the governor’s fraud prevention plan, arguing that the lack of independent oversight has contributed to what she described as the largest fraud scandal in the country.

“The Governor and the executive branch do not want independent oversight of how of how they are running this,” Robbins said.

“And we saw that when the governor rolled out his supposed fraud prevention plan this year, when he appointed his own inspector general, or similar equivalent position a retired judge who is probably a wonderful person, but reports to the governor.”

Robbins contended that the current structure does not provide meaningful accountability.

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“What we are missing,” she said, “And the reason we have the biggest fraud scandal in the country is because we don't have any independent oversight of this governor and his executive agencies, and it is shameful.”

She also referenced public dissatisfaction with how tax dollars have been used.

“Chuck Leaver and said she wants to hear from the public, well, I'll tell you what I hear from the public all the time,” Robbins said.

“The public has had it up to here with us.”

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According to Robbins, constituents are frustrated with how funds have been misused.

“They are fed up with billions of our tax dollars being stolen and being used for things like a resort in Kenya, an apartment building in Nairobi, a culinary school in Ohio, luxury cars and homes and jewelry here in the US, they are fed up,” she said.

She said taxpayers want accountability and better stewardship of public funds.

“They want their tax dollars to go to vulnerable citizens or to be returned to them,” Robbins said.

“They want independent, separate from the governor's office, oversight of the executive branch, because clearly they haven't been doing their jobs.”

Robbins said repeated hearings have highlighted the same patterns.

“We see it over and over and over, I don't know how many hearings we have to have with the same exact fact pattern,” she said.

She emphasized the legislature’s constitutional role. “Members, we have a responsibility as the legislature, as a separate branch of government, to ensure that there is independent oversight of the executive branch, because they are not doing it on their own,” Robbins said.

While praising the Office of Legislative Auditor, she argued that additional measures are needed.

“The Office of Legislative Auditor, God bless them. They do incredible work, but there's still an agency of the legislature because of separation powers, we need to have independent law enforcement oversight in the executive branch,” she said.

Robbins described the issue as urgent.

“That's what this fight is about,” she said.

“And we need to give that so that the public can have assurance that their tax money is well.”

She concluded by urging swift action.

“So members, I urge you to join us in supporting this urgency,” Robbins said.

“We cannot wait till May to start setting this up. It is far overdue.”

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