Loughlin Proposes Transforming the Lt. Governor’s Office Into an Inspector General’s Function

Loughlin Proposes Transforming the Lt. Governor’s Office Into an Inspector General’s Function

 

Republican candidate John Loughlin, at a press conference in Warwick on Monday morning, announced a plan to repurpose the Lieutenant Governor’s Office into a Rhode Island Office of Inspector General focused on exposing fraud, waste, abuse, and government corruption.

Loughlin’s proposal comes following years of failed legislative efforts to establish an independent Inspector General’s Office — legislation first introduced in 2002 and repeatedly stalled in committee.

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If elected, Loughlin outlined in detail how he would transform the staffing of the often maligned Lt. Governor’s office into “an aggressive, independent watchdog operation dedicated to government accountability and transparency.”

 

 

“Rhode Islanders are sick and tired of watching their tax dollars disappear into a black hole of inefficiency, cronyism, and outright corruption while the General Assembly talks a big game but delivers nothing — year after year after year,” said Loughlin.

“For more than two decades, the legislature has failed to create a true Inspector General with real investigative power. Enough is enough. If they won’t do it, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will — starting on Day One.”

According to Loughlin, the traditionally ceremonial Office of Lieutenant Governor would be transformed into an active oversight and investigative agency. Upon taking office, Loughlin said he would immediately recruit experienced, certified auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals to conduct independent reviews of state agencies, contracts, and taxpayer-funded programs.

Loughlin emphasized that all statutory and constitutional responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office would continue to be fully carried out, including service on advisory boards, commissions, and councils assigned under Rhode Island law.

“The Office of Lieutenant Governor has important existing responsibilities that will continue uninterrupted,” Loughlin said. “That includes work with the Small Business Advocacy Council, the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council, and numerous other statutory duties that can and will be performed effectively alongside this new oversight mission.”

“Frankly, the current workload of the office leaves ample time and resources to do far more for taxpayers than ceremonial appearances and ribbon-cuttings. Rhode Islanders deserve a Lieutenant Governor’s Office that works every day to protect their money and hold government accountable.”

While the Lieutenant Governor’s Office does not possess subpoena power, Loughlin stated the office would aggressively utilize Rhode Island’s public records laws and open meetings statutes to obtain documents, data, and evidence of wrongdoing. Findings would be published in detailed public reports released through a new transparency initiative called the “RI Report,” along with regular press briefings and podcasts designed to keep taxpayers informed.

Loughlin emphasized that the initiative would require no new taxes, no additional appropriations, and no legislative or executive approval.

“The Lieutenant Governor’s Office already operates with an annual budget of approximately $1.4 million,” Loughlin said. “That budget is more than sufficient to hire qualified, certified professionals who can deliver meaningful oversight and real savings for Rhode Island taxpayers.”

“If our office saves just 1% from Rhode Island’s bloated state budget, the savings would return more than ten times the entire cost of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to taxpayers — and that’s only the beginning," he said.

“The current Lieutenant Governor’s Office is small by design, but flexible enough to be repurposed toward the people’s priorities instead of groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings. I intend to make it one of the most effective accountability offices in the Rhode Island government,” he added.

Loughlin said the proposed Inspector General operation would also make its expertise available to Rhode Island cities and towns upon request, helping local governments identify waste, improve financial controls, and strengthen accountability to taxpayers.