Governor Reynolds Should Cooperate with Rob Sand’s Review

Iowans value transparency and accountability. When questions arise about public spending, elected officials should address them swiftly. Governor Kim Reynolds should fully cooperate with Auditor Rob Sand’s review of the Education Savings Account (ESA) program. Sand, a Democrat, has a history of fair, independent investigations (Des Moines Register). His job is to ensure taxpayer dollars are properly spent. By resisting oversight, the Governor fuels distrust and raises unnecessary suspicion. Reynolds' administration claims Sand is biased, but state auditors have never been passive (Des Moines Register). Sand was elected to conduct independent oversight. Any large program, especially one involving nine figures, demands scrutiny to ensure compliance with the law. Blocking this review undermines accountability. Reynolds’ administration insists Sand must launch a formal new audit, while Sand argues this falls within routine financial oversight (Des Moines Register). Due to a 2023 law, Sand cannot take the matter to court, leaving arbitration as his only option—one controlled by the executive branch (Des Moines Register). As a result, he has been unable to fully evaluate ESA spending. Delays only deepen public distrust. If there’s no wrongdoing, a full review clears the air. If mistakes were made, transparency restores faith in government. By cooperating, Reynolds can resolve the issue and move forward. The choice is clear: allow the review and uphold the trust of Iowans.