{"id":2686052,"date":"2026-10-16T23:51:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T03:51:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/politicians-force-their-hands-into-taxpayer-pockets-to-fund-agency-that-bombed-audit\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T23:55:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T03:55:51","slug":"politicians-force-their-hands-into-taxpayer-pockets-to-fund-agency-that-bombed-audit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/politicians-force-their-hands-into-taxpayer-pockets-to-fund-agency-that-bombed-audit\/","title":{"rendered":"Politicians Force Their Hands Into Taxpayer Pockets to Fund Agency That Bombed Audit"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpoliticians-force-their-hands-into-taxpayer-pockets-to-fund-agency-that-bombed-audit%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2686052&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A county in Washington increased its taxes on the same day it appointed an inspector general to investigate alleged government fraud. specifically, King County Council approved a new sales tax of one penny per $100, raising revenue for programs managed by the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), which has recently faced scrutiny over reported fraud and mismanagement. This legislative change was enabled by Washington stateS House Bill 2442, passed along party lines, which allowed counties to impose such taxes without the usual voter approval.Democratic lawmakers justify the measure as a response to budget constraints, emphasizing community service provision, while Republicans criticize it for reducing taxpayer protections and increasing unchecked government scope. An audit revealed significant lapses in DCHS&#8217;s financial controls, including improper spending and potential fraud, particularly as grants expanded dramatically. Critics argue these developments highlight concerns over openness and accountability in local governance.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_1)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A deep-blue Washington county raised taxes on the same day it appointed an inspector general to root out the widely reported fraud from within its\u2019 government spending programs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">King County Council approved a <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/mkcclegisearch.kingcounty.gov\/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7984956&#038;GUID=633E4D24-68D3-46F5-BC29-3129774178FB&#038;Options=Advanced&#038;Search=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">new ordinance<\/a> on Oct. 6, adding a penny to every $100 in taxable purchases, Seattle Red <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/seattlered.com\/taxes\/king-county-sales-tax-hike-no-vote-dchs-dunn\/4120545\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reported<\/a>. The new sales tax sends revenue into a program managed by the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) \u2014 the same department that\u2019s been under fire for reported fraud and funding mismanagement over the past year, requiring a <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/kingcounty.gov\/en\/dept\/council\/governance-leadership\/county-council\/newsroom\/2026\/10-06-council-inspector-general-appointed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">new<\/a> Inspector General Division.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The county was allowed to pass this ordinance because of Washington state\u2019s <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov\/biennium\/2025-26\/Htm\/Bills\/House%20Bills\/2442-S.E.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2442<\/a>. Democratic lawmakers passed the bill in February in a party-line vote, allowing counties to impose the 0.01 percent tax by ordinance<b><strong class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__textBold\">.<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cThe bill is the result of an unfortunate situation that many county governments find themselves in from large budgetary restraints on funds from the state and federal level,\u201d Democratic Washington state Rep. Shaun Scott, an avowed <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/housedemocrats.wa.gov\/scott\/biography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">socialist <\/a>and one of the legislation\u2019s sponsors, told the Daily Caller News Foundation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cOur primary focus is not on what funds are spent towards. It\u2019s on giving communities authority to provide basic services.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">However, Republicans who opposed the legislation that greenlighted King County\u2019s tax increase disagree.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Republican Washington state Rep. Chris Corry suggested to the DCNF that the Democratic-backed bill removed taxpayer protections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cWashington state has had a long history of having vote requirements to be able to raise taxes,\u201d Corry told the DCNF. \u201cIt\u2019s a protection measure and an accountability measure for those elected.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The DCHS did not respond to the DCNF\u2019s request for comment. The King Council did not provide a comment on the record by time of publication.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Corry added that the legislation increases the size and scope of government without accountability or restrictions and puts the burden on local government.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s not fair to our city councils or counties to have to pay those taxes and is a poor way to govern,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s making it less transparent for raising taxes and covering up the negative impacts the state is putting on city and local governments by just telling them to go tax.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Meanwhile, Scott, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, said that fraud is something the state of Washington takes seriously, but is not something he and other legislators explicitly outlined to prevent in the act.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cThere\u2019s no need for additional oversight given that audits are conducted independently at the local and state level,\u201d Scott told the DCNF.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The King County Auditor\u2019s Office conducted one such <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.kingcounty.gov\/-\/media\/king-county\/independent\/governance-and-leadership\/government-oversight\/auditors-office\/reports\/audits\/2025\/dchs-contracts\/dchs-contracts-2025.pdf?rev=de1da047b6c94b9d9ac69aebf3b4de4f&#038;hash=A3D1D5746BFA9C7911E02029536AA559\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">audit<\/a> in August 2025 putting the County\u2019s DCHS at the center of an ongoing fraud review.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cAmid rapid growth in grant funding, DCHS did not consistently apply internal controls, resulting in improper payments, including potential fraud, across multiple programs and contracts,\u201d the audit said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cWe found that the department has not done enough to manage its financial risk.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The audit found that DCHS, which handles nearly 90 percent of county grants, failed to conduct basic, routine financial and contract monitoring of grantees as its awards climbed from a combined $922 million in 2019 and 2020 to $1.87 billion in 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The reviewed programs included three juvenile diversion programs and an education and community empowerment program for youth and families, the audit listed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">An annual risk-assessment from 2024 reviewed nearly half of the Departments 359 taxpayer funded grants as high risk, the audit stated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cDCHS lacks documented policies and procedures, training, and checklists for validating invoices \u2014 reducing consistency and increasing opportunities for fraud, waste, and abuse,\u201d the audit said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cIn our review, we identified grantees whose spending deviated significantly from contract budgets without appropriate amendment or oversight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cMake no mistake, this is a damning audit,\u201d Democratic King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kuow.org\/governing\/2025-08-27\/damning-audit-finds-lax-king-county-oversight-allowed-potential-fraud-and-improper-payments-to-contractors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">told<\/a> a news outlet in 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">King County includes the city of Seattle and gave <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.kingcounty.gov\/-\/media\/king-county\/depts\/elections\/results\/2024\/11\/results-final-20241126.pdf?rev=af5cfeb49b8d4d8f85167f030ff59192&#038;hash=5C01430B639A7ABBCEA9280B5C2095CB&#038;_gl=1*1ppedzg*_ga*NDg1ODA0MzYuMTc5MjAxMzY0OQ..*_ga_W2BH6TXD2Z*czE3OTIwMTM2NDkkbzEkZzEkdDE3OTIwMTM2NTEkajU4JGwwJGgw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">74%<\/a> of its vote to failed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Its council consists of seven Democrats and two Republicans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\">\n<p>All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. 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