Auditor hopeful Kanzler would oversee budget

State auditor candidate Jay Kanzler says, if elected, he would direct the auditor's office to scrutinize the financial problems plaguing state government and look for better budgeting.

Kanzler, a Republican and associate general counsel for Washington University in St. Louis, campaigned in Cape Girardeau on Thursday.

He is running against Al Hanson of Concordia, Mo., in the August Republican primary.

The winner will face incumbent Auditor Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, and Libertarian candidate Arnold Trembley of St. Louis in the November election.

In a visit to the Southeast Missourian, Kanzler said McCaskill hasn't provided the needed financial oversight of the state budget.

Kanzler said the Enron and WorldCom financial crises show the need for independent auditors.

Kanzler said the state auditor's office needs to be involved in the budget process.

"The auditor needs to be part of the solution as well as a watchdog over the finances," he said.

He said the state shouldn't slash spending for higher education.

"If we are going to retain the high-tech, high-paying jobs that we want in Missouri, the last thing we need to be doing is slashing higher education," said Kanzler.