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Program Evaluation & Government Accountability:

Maine State House, Augusta, Maine, as of the mid-1800s. This building was originally designed by noted American architect Charles Bulfinch, as shown. A high dome was later added. This image is from the US Library of Congress online collection.The Office of Program Evaluation & Government Accountability (OPEGA) maintains this web site to inform and educate Maine citizens interested in our work. Legislators and other state employees may find some sections of this site particularly useful. Thank you for visiting, and please let us know if there are any additions or changes we can make to this site to make it easier for you to use or more helpful. There is a link to our survey at the bottom of each page. This survey is designed to collect feedback concerning this web site and about our work products, such as reports. If you would like to contact us outside the survey, please see the OPEGA contact page or use the Email Webmaster link at the bottom of all OPEGA and GOC pages.

Many OPEGA documents provided on this web site are in PDF format. In order to view or print PDF documents, you need to have the free Adobe Reader installed on your computer. If you have trouble opening a file, or need a file in a different format, please contact the OPEGA Office.

OPEGA's Mission:

The Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) exists to support the Legislature in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to improve the accountability, oversight and performance of State government for the benefit of Maine’s citizens.

OPEGA conducts objective and independent performance audits of State government programs and activities to ensure they are achieving intended results and are effective, efficient and economical. Within this context, OPEGA also evaluates compliance with laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Using an independent perspective, OPEGA:

  • provides timely and credible information for identifying risks and making decisions;
  • facilitates positive change by recognizing excellence, recommending improvements and working collaboratively to assure effective action is taken; and
  • fosters a more complete and accurate understanding of State government through its reports and communications.

OPEGA is also authorized to audit non-State entities receiving State funds or established to perform government functions.

OPEGA is a non-partisan,
independent legislative office

Values 

Authorizing legislation: MRSA Title 3 §991 - §997, passed in 2003

Began operation: January 2005.

Staffing:

  • Beth Ashcroft, Director
  • Jennifer Henderson, Principal Analyst
  • Wendy Cherubini, Senior Analyst
  • Kristen McAuley, Senior Analyst
  • Scott Farwell, Analyst
  • Matthew Kruk , Analyst
  • Maura Pillsbury, Analyst
  • Etta Connors, Administrative Secretary

Professional standards: Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book)
Location: 111 Sewall Street, Cross Office Bldg., Room 107, Augusta, ME
Mailing info: 82 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0082

OPEGA seeks to be a model for best practices in government and is committed to: 

  • Independence and objectivity
  • Professionalism, ethics and integrity
  • Participatory, collaborative approach
  • Timely, effective communications
  • Valuable recommendations
  • Continuous improvement
  • Using skilled and knowledgeable staff
  • Minimizing disruption of operations
  • Identifying root causes
  • Measuring its own performance
  • Smart use of its own resources