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NLPES Awards Program

California Wins 1998 NLPES Excellence in Legislative Program Evaluation Award

Bureau of State Audits

Kurt R. Sjoberg, State Auditor

The NLPES announces that the recipient of the 1998 Award for Excellence in Program Evaluation is California's Bureau of State Audits. The award is made in recognition of the bureau's many fine achievements, including:

• History of Excellence. The bureau and the Office of the Auditor General have been assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs since 1969. The Office was temporarily closed in December 1992 due to budget cuts. Recognizing the need and value of audits, the Governor and Legislature re-established the Office on May 7, 1993. Since January 1994, the Bureau of State Audits has issued 117 performance audit reports. These reports have been a positive catalyst for innovative solutions that help California's Legislature stimulate progress. The bureau and the Office of the Auditor General have been assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs since 1969. The Office was temporarily closed in December 1992 due to budget cuts. Recognizing the need and value of audits, the Governor and Legislature re-established the Office on May 7, 1993. Since January 1994, the Bureau of State Audits has issued 117 performance audit reports. These reports have been a positive catalyst for innovative solutions that help California's Legislature stimulate progress.
• Contributions to the Field. The bureau has been very active in NLPES. The current Deputy State Auditor for performance audits has served on the NLPES Executive Committee three separate times and she is currently the Chair of NLPES. The Deputy State Auditor has also been representing NLPES as a member of NCSL's Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee. The State Auditor is NLPES' advisory member on the Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards. Bureau staff have been active in NLPES by attending annual meetings and training conferences. Bureau staff are also in other professional organizations.
• Responsiveness and Innovation. Since its re-establishment in 1993, the bureau streamlined and reorganized its operations. Changes made include pooling of resources, shortening audit turnaround time, and totally revamping its report format. The bureau has been able to issue nearly as many reports with approximately 40 per cent less staff. Since 1994, savings resulting from these efforts have exceeded $360 million. Furthermore, 25 bills have been signed into law over last two years incorporating recommendations made in various reports and an additional 23 bills are currently pending legislative action.

Information submitted for review is on file with the NLPES Executive Committee. Reports can be requested from the California Bureau of State Audits, 660 J Street, Suite 300, Sacramento, California 95814, or by calling (916) 445-0255 x 248.