Your guide to the California state controller race: Democrat Malia Cohen faces challengers
Key takeaways
- Unlike the state auditor, the controller has political independence and doesn’t answer to the state legislature.
- The controller also sits on dozens of boards and commissions, playing the role of fiduciary watchdog when it comes to investing in schools, hospitals and transportation and the state’s pension funds.
- California’s primary election takes place on June 2.
Print California voters will choose who oversees the state’s finances as incumbent Malia Cohen faces Republican Herb Morgan, a finance executive, and Meghann Adams, a school bus driver and Peace and Freedom Party member.Morgan proposes using blockchain and AI technology for real-time spending transparency, while Adams advocates corporate audits and redirecting billions toward education, housing and healthcare for working-class Californians.Cohen improved financial report timeliness but fell short on promised audits of homelessness programs, the DMV and Employment Development Department. 1 p]:text-cms-story-body-color-text clearfix"> The state’s fiscal watchdog oversees the intake and outtake of public funds and audits departments across the state.
Unlike the state auditor, the controller has political independence and doesn’t answer to the state legislature. The controller uses audits and reports to hold entities and other governmental agencies accountable.
The controller also sits on dozens of boards and commissions, playing the role of fiduciary watchdog when it comes to investing in schools, hospitals and transportation and the state’s pension funds.