An editorial published in the Klamath Falls Herald and News, Oct. 3, 2003

What a difference new management makes.

Last fall the Oregon State Lottery administration came under richly de-served fire after a state audit challenged $792,000 of its spending for the year 2001. This included such things as $100,000 for an eight-day training course and $16,000 for gifts and awards for employees.

The Lottery's initial response? It said it made money, so it could spend it, even if the rest of state government was living hand to mouth.

Clearly the agency had lost its sense of mission, which is to raise money so other state departments can provide services people require. Just because it makes money doesn't mean it doesn't have to operate with efficiency and prudence.

The Lottery's response didn't sit well with other state officials.

Heads rolled. Key lottery administrators left.

Now, just about a year later, another audit of the agency has been conducted.

It found that the lottery's new leaders have cut administrative expenses by $500,000 for the first six months of the year compared to the same period two years ago.

Last December, after the first audit was made public, Lottery Director Chris Lyons resigned and then-Gov. John Kitzhaber appointed Brenda Rocklin as interim Lottery director. Gov. Ted Kulongoski made the appointment permanent in January.

Rocklin, who had been an attorney with the state's Department of Justice since 1985, has done such things as cut lottery travel costs by 77 percent and meeting expenses by 89 percent.

That's good work.

Though the Oregon Lottery has more freedom to operate than most state agencies, it's still a state agency and can't be profligate. The scandal also undercut the rationale for having the lottery operate as an independent agency and thus being less susceptible to the Legislature's political influence. Another episode like the last one and it would be time to take away some of its independence.

Rocklin and her staff deserve Oregonians' thanks for bringing the lottery operation back in touch with reality. But let's keep it on a short leash.