Lake Stevens writer urges audits, oversight of public spending

A Lake Stevens resident is calling for stronger audits and oversight of public spending, saying taxpayer money should get the same scrutiny as money in the private sector. Natalee Thurston, who lives in Lake Stevens, wrote in a forum letter dated Oct. 31 that government spending starts with the people who earn it or the taxpayers who repay government debt.

Thurston credits DOGE with drawing attention to waste, fraud and questionable spending, and writes that what has been found so far is likely a small share of what remains. She argues questions about how problems are uncovered should not crowd out the problems themselves.

She asks for independent audits, greater transparency, prosecution of actual fraud, regular reviews of government programs, and consequences for officials who conceal fraud, obstruct lawful investigations or misuse public money. She also writes that states should answer for the federal dollars they receive and that the federal government has a legitimate interest in seeing those funds used lawfully and for their intended purpose.

On elections, she writes that eligible voters should be able to vote, voter rolls should be maintained accurately and lawfully, and Americans should have confidence in the process.

Thurston points to votes in Washington on taxes and the direction of the state, and writes that voters should read what they are voting on and understand what a YES or NO vote does rather than follow a slogan, political party or advertisement. She writes that she wants readers to vote YES on all the repeals, calling them measures passed without the voice or vote of the people.

The letter was published in a forum section. Thurston lives in Lake Stevens, a city in Snohomish County north of Bellingham.