Southwest PA News

Today, Representative Bud Cook from Greene/Washington reasserted his demand for an audit of the Washington County Local Share Account (LSA). Cook's call aims to address concerns about financial management within the county's commissioner offices, which he claims have been compromised for nearly a decade.

"Today, we are outlining three specific actions which need to be taken to finally end this nearly decade-long charade that has ruined the creditability of our county’s commissioner offices," Cook stated, emphasizing the need for a "fair and transparent government" to rebuild public trust in Washington County. A forensic audit of the LSA is at the forefront of Cook's demands. According to his statement, such an audit is necessary to trace the use of funds, highlighting past research that indicated almost $10 million went unaccounted for in 2021. "Allowing this to continue is fiscal and government malpractice," he remarked.

Cook's proposal also advocates for the inclusion of rotating House of Representatives members on the LSA board. This measure is intended to increase transparency and ensure that "every Washington county resident deserves a say in how their money is being distributed."

Furthermore, Cook intends to introduce legislation that would transfer control of the LSA from county authorities to the state. He argues that the current board is incapable of managing these responsibilities responsibly. Cook affirms his commitment to these demands, stating, "The integrity of our government should be of the utmost importance to every elected official, and we will not rest until that is the case here in Washington County."

The announcement underscores ongoing concerns about accountability and fiscal management, with Cook positioned as a leading voice for reform within the county.