State auditor not prepared to look at cost of security

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State Auditor Claire McCaskill said Tuesday it would be unpatriotic to begin examining the costs and management of new state security measures imposed after the terrorist attacks.

McCaskill, in response to a reporter's question, said she has no immediate plans to audit the vast shift in resources to provide security to state office buildings, including the Capitol.

"I think it would be inappropriate and frankly maybe unpatriotic to question that," McCaskill said.

But the Democrat, who is seeking re-election next year, did not rule out a future audit of security operations.

Those stepped up measure have included the purchase of new equipment and the redirection of staff to guard state buildings.

"I believe we should leave it to their discretion about what should occur," McCaskill said. But "at some point in time, it may be appropriate to look at what we are spending and look at efficiencies that are realized or not realized."

McCaskill said the public eventually should be made aware of the cost of the extra security and whether it was worth it.

"Ultimately it will be important for the public to know the cost so they can make up their own minds," McCaskill said.

When asked if a lack of security breaches would be the deciding factor in determining whether the money was well spent, McCaskill said: "It's very hard to quantify what you might have prevented, that's the rub."

So far, Gov. Bob Holden and security adviser Tim Daniel have not said how much the additional security will cost the state, which already has experienced budget problems.