Mississippi Audit Identifies $335 Million in Waste

Mississippi State Auditor Shad White has unveiled 'Project Momentum', the largest audit of government waste in the state in decades, revealing approximately $335 million in potential savings across 13 agencies. The audit highlights inefficiencies such as overspending on IT contracts, underutilized vehicles, high property insurance costs, and excessive administrative expenses in K-12 education. White emphasized that while no illegal activities were found, the findings point to a significant lack of frugality in government spending. The report suggests cost-saving measures like consolidating purchasing and selling the underused state plane, which could save $1.3 million annually. White described the audit as a necessary step towards a more efficient government, echoing similar sentiments from other states aiming for operational reforms. Some agency heads expressed skepticism about the practicality of the recommendations, viewing the report as more of a theoretical exercise than actionable guidance.