SALEM, Ore. — In a revelation that surprised absolutely no one who’s ever watched Oregon’s government at work, as reported by FOX 12 a new state audit has confirmed that the Beaver State might be wasting millions of taxpayer dollars thanks to a contract system that’s about as organized as a toddler’s toy box.
Released Wednesday by the Secretary of State’s office, the audit found Oregon’s procurement system is riddled with holes, lacks centralized oversight, and somehow manages to fumble billions of dollars in public purchasing with the finesse of a blindfolded raccoon.
“Right now, Oregonians are stretching every dollar, and the state should too,” said Secretary of State Tobias Read, delivering what many described as an adorable sentiment. “We’re spending billions on contracts and procurements every year, and every one of those choices needs to be looked at closely.”
The audit highlighted several “key weaknesses” in the system, including:
- Too few staff to do the job – The team in charge of overseeing contracts has the same number of employees it did in 2017, despite responsibilities multiplying like rabbits on Marionberry pie. They’re currently 14 staffers short, but hey, maybe hoping for more oversight was too much to ask.
- A massive blind spot for spending – Everyday purchases made with state credit cards aren’t being tracked in OregonBuys because fixing that turned out to be “too complicated” and raised “security concerns.” Translation: they gave up.
- Agencies ignoring the system – Heavy hitters like ODOT and the Department of Corrections aren’t fully using OregonBuys for their purchases, which auditors noted is sort of like having a fire alarm and deciding not to turn it on because it’s annoying.
- Training stuck in the Stone Age – State employees described their training on contracts as outdated, confusing, and harder to find than parking in downtown Portland. Some guides haven’t been updated in years.
Auditors issued eight recommendations to stop Oregon from setting more taxpayer dollars on fire, including giving the Legislature regular progress reports.
Do you love Oregon?
Sign up for monthly emails full of local travel inspiration and fun trip ideas. In each newsletter we'll share upcoming events, new things to do, hot dining spots and great travel ideas.
“Poorly managed contracts can waste taxpayer dollars and tie up resources for years,” the report warned—though most Oregonians would argue the state already mastered that skill long ago.
In fiscal year 2024 alone, OregonBuys processed over 40,000 transactions totaling $2.14 billion. Yet the platform still doesn’t capture all spending, meaning the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is flying partially blind when it comes to making strategic decisions.
The audit is now available on the Secretary of State’s website, where taxpayers can read it and quietly weep.
