NEWS CONTACT: Adam Pierce Pickering running for auditor to make sure taxpayers get their LAUREL, MS – Hundreds of supporters joined State Senator Stacey Pickering in his hometown of Laurel today to kick off his campaign for State Auditor. Pickering says he’s running to ensure that government is efficient and effective with taxpayer dollars. “The Auditor’s office is where the buck stops when it comes to ensuring that Mississippians get their money’s worth from state government,” said Pickering, who represents District 42 in the State Senate. “State and local governments in Mississippi spend billions of dollars in taxpayer money each year. As a fiscal conservative, I want to make sure that our tax dollars are spent with the integrity the taxpayers expect and deserve.” Pickering also hopes to strengthen the educational role of the office rather than serving solely as an enforcer. “I have found a vast majority of our local officials truly want to serve their communities and do a good job. I want to ensure that politics stays out of the auditing process and that we are proactive in helping our local officials on the front end with their daily operations, rather than on the back end of an audit. It makes a more cost-effective and efficient form of government.” Pickering also cited the importance of performance audits in identifying what works and doesn’t work in government. “Our next Auditor should have the ability to recognize what is wasteful and the conviction and leadership to do something about it. Identifying what doesn’t work can save millions of taxpayer dollars. Simply put, wasted tax dollars don’t create jobs, they don’t improve Mississippi’s economy, and they don’t guarantee our children a better future. Identifying what works and adapting those best practices to other areas of government will ultimately help us deliver better services, from building roads to educating our children.” During the evening, several Jones County mayors spoke on Pickering’s behalf. “Stacey Pickering will bring the same conservative values he’s known for in the Senate to the Auditor’s office,” noted Mayor Pat Lightsey (R-Sandersville). “Stacey has the values, integrity and leadership qualities we need in our next State Auditor,’ said Mayor Tim Waldrup (D-Ellisville). “Even though he and I are from different political parties, Stacey places principles over politics and puts doing what is right above all,” added former Mayor Susan Vincent (D-Laurel). Stacey Pickering is a 7th generation Jones Countian. Stacey and his wife, Whitney, reside in Laurel with their four children. They are active members of First Baptist Church of Laurel. In the State Senate, he serves as Chair of the Local & Private Committee. He is a member of the Constitution; Finance; Forestry; Highways & Transportation; Judiciary, Division B; Oil, Gas & Other Minerals and Universities & Colleges committees. |
