DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR STATE AUDITOR EMLPHASIZES `BOTTOM LINE'

State Sen. Steve Danner told a group of Democrats Friday that if he is elected Missouri auditor he will emphasize bottom lines instead of headlines.

Danner, D-Hale, criticized Republican incumbent Margaret Kelly for not working closely with local officials to provide information that would enable them to do their jobs better. Danner said Kelly has not fulfilled her role as an independent watchdog of state government.

"I am more interested in the bottom line; my opponent is more interested in the headline," said Danner. "I'm going to change that philosophy."

Danner, who with Kelly is unopposed in Tuesday's primary election, met with about 40 Democrats from Cape Girardeau and Scott counties at a breakfast in Cape Girardeau. He made other stops Friday at Sikeston, Dexter and Poplar Bluff.

Danner said that as "a watchdog of your tax dollars," it is important that audit reports be timely and audits of local governments be done well and be helpful to local officials.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Danner said he is frustrated that audit reports of state agencies are released months after they are conducted and provide little help to legislators.

Since 1974, when Democrat George Lehr defeated John Ashcroft, all state auditors elected in Missouri have been certified public accountants. Danner is an attorney; Kelly a CPA.

"You don't have to be a CPA to be auditor; you have to be a good manager to see that these audits are done on time," said Danner. "Her credentials as a CPA have certainly not guaranteed the taxpayers better performance or better government.

"I pledge to improve the performance of the auditor's office by using a consistent, fresh approach, sound management and solid administration. As auditor, I will work with all levels of government to identify polices and changes to implement cost savings. This new attitude and new approach will help state and local governments work smarter, harder and leaner."

Danner also discussed allegations about problems in the office of Democratic Secretary of State Judi Moriarty. Danner said it is good that the problems are being investigated thoroughly, but he scoffed at comparisons between Moriarity and problems in the office of former Republican attorney general Bill Webster.

"There is a world of difference between what happened there and has happened in the secretary of state's office," said Danner.

Webster is serving a federal prison sentence, although it is not related to problems with the Second Injury Fund, which also was an issue during Webster's tenure. Danner criticized Kelly for failing to find problems with the way the fund was handled by attorneys working for the office.

Said Danner: "During her tenure as auditor, scandals like the Second Injury Fund have cost Missouri taxpayers millions of dollars. I believe Missourians can legitimately ask, `Where was our independent watchdog agency?'"

Danner said Republican former governor John Ashcroft made no attempt to get problems with the fund investigated during his administration. By comparison, Danner said Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan has called for a thorough investigation into any problems, including Morarty and House Speaker Bob Griffin.

"Mel Carnahan wants problems out in the open and cleared up as quickly as possible. John Ashcroft wanted to hide problems. Republicans circled the wagons and protected each other," said Danner.

"Gov. Carnahan wants to do the right thing, irrespective of the political consequences. He's the first one to want to know what the problem is and to get something done. That's the big difference between he and John Ashcroft."

Ashcroft is likely to be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.

Danner warned Republicans not to be complacent about their chances of winning in November with Ashcroft and Kelly.

"I think they misread Missourians. This is still the Show Me State and they want to know what you have done and what your record is," said Danner.

Danner's mother, Pat Danner, serves as a member of Congress from the 6th District in northwest Missouri.