Secretary Fagan Announces New Audits on Sexual and Reproductive Health Care, Gun Safety and Environmental Regulations
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, October 7th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
OREGON – (Release from the Oregon Secretary of State) In response to emerging state and national trends, Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan announced additions to the 2022-23 Audit Plan today. The additions include audits of Oregon’s sexual and reproductive health care services and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in addition to an advisory report on the state’s “Red Flag” gun safety policy. The additions seek to strengthen public services and improve outcomes for Oregonians.
“This year, the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the constitutional right to abortion, and families in Oregon and across the nation have been heartbroken by gun violence. I can do something about it,” said Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. “That’s why I have directed the Audits Division to evaluate access to safe and legal abortions in Oregon and determine how effective Oregon’s red flag gun safety law is at keeping Oregonians safe.”
The new additions include an audit of Oregon’s sexual and reproductive health care services. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has significant, wide-ranging impacts on state governance. Oregon has made substantive investments in reproductive health care services and is now operating in a new landscape. The audit will examine the risks to Oregon’s sexual and reproductive health care services, with a focus on potential inequities and public health outcomes.
Auditors will also complete an advisory report examining Oregon’s “Red Flag” policy, which allows courts to take weapons away from people who are at risk as a danger to themselves or others. In response to increasing gun violence in our communities – including a deadly shooting at a Bend supermarket in late August – this project aims to provide state leadership with timely, high-quality analysis and information related to red flag programs.
Finally, the Audits Division will be executing an audit of the Department of Environmental Quality with a focus on enforcement activities and community relations. The timing of this audit is ideal in terms of providing new DEQ leadership with valuable, objective, and actionable information to assist them with moving the agency forward. Secretary Fagan received a written request from the Senate Republican caucus on September 23 to perform this audit.
