By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – A report from the state auditor Thursday says the Missouri House needlessly spent $56,000 to hire a private company to audit its operations.
The audit also says the Senate offered a retirement plan to workers that went beyond what's authorized by law.
The report from the office of State Auditor Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, says House auditing could have been done internally.
House leadership sought an independent audit after Republicans took control in January 2003. The two audits made some similar points.
In the Senate, Administrator Michael Keathley said the retirement incentive is legal and should save money. The audit also found the Senate did not monitor employees' vacation and sick days.
Keathley said a tracking system began running in January.