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April 2, 2007 – In speaking for a bill considered by the Government Operations Committee on Monday to allow the Inspector General to hire personnel and set their salaries, Senator Louis Patrick Hill declared the time has come for the government to bring to an end all bureaucratic restrictions that hinder the efficiency of the Inspector General.
Stated Senator Hill, “For years the Inspector General has faced unconscionable bottlenecks in fighting corruption and malfeasance in government.”
The senator said he managed to eliminate some of these by appropriating monies during consideration of the Executive Budget by the Finance Committee which he chaired last year…funds which led to the opening of the St. Croix office and other enhancements in the operation of the office.
Recalled Hill, “That was one satisfaction I derived in being chair of the Finance Committee. Now, however, I find the Inspector General faces hurdles in hiring highly qualified personnel trained in ferreting out wrongdoing in government.” Senator Hill declared all senators should support Senator Nelson’s bill when it comes before the full body.
“It allows the Inspector General to by-pass the onerous, bureaucratic NOPA process that has hand strung that office for years. But now, by allowing him to recruit essential personnel, he shall obtain a measure of autonomy he badly needs in discharging his job.”
Concluded Hill, “This is what I envisioned in appropriating monies for that office last year.”
