El Pasoans concerned over the use of tax-payer funds
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Pasoans are expressing their concerns over the use of tax-payer funds after an internal audit found “excessive” use of gas cards by the representatives for Districts 3 and 6 in calendar year 2022.
The audit also found the use of taxpayer-funded purchasing cards in the same year that totaled over $500,000.
"I disagree with that, if we're electing these officials, it's because we want to- we're expecting we can trust them and when they do things like that, that's not right," said El Paso resident Liza Miranda. "All of us are having to work check to check. Everything's costing more nowadays to hear these representatives doing those things. It's kind of disappointing.”
For Cassandra Hernandez in District 3, it was found in the report that gas card was likely being used to fuel two cars. In calendar year 2022 the card was used to buy $6,691.49, according to the report.
According to documents obtained by ABC-7 through an open records request, El Paso elected officials, city staff spent more than half a million dollars on taxpayer-funded purchasing cards in 2022; Former Rep. Rodriguez spent more than $7,500 in a single day.
