Horse Power, a Nevada group that rescues abused and injured wild horses and is caring for approximately 20 horses at the current time, will not be receiving any more funding this year from the renewals of the state's special license plate. Nevada Legislature's Commission on Special License Plates has voted to suspend giving money to the group until at least September 2013.
Group books "fabricated?"
No more state funding this year for Horse Power, a Nevada group that rescues wild horses.
Horse Power has been receiving about $90,000 a year from the sale and annual renewal of about 4,700 special license plates. The Northern Nevada-based organization must prove to legislative auditors that it has taken steps to make sure its board members follow state law requiring them to approve all expenditures and that money be spent only for assisting wild horses and burros.
The sale of the license plates will continue, although funds will not be given to Horse Power, based in Washoe Valley, at least until September 2013. Assembly woman Marilyn Dondero Loop, D-Las Vegas said the group perhaps could go to the Legislature next year or work with auditors to see if funds can be released more quickly.
A legislative audit earlier this year found that the organization had "fabricated" its books to show revenue and expenditures were in balance. Auditors repeated that allegation Monday, adding the organization did not submit required minutes of its meetings in 2010 or evidence showing board members approved all expenditures.
Sally Summers, Horse Power's executive director, said "horses will die" because of the decision. Summers said most of the ATM purchases were for gasoline for rescue operations and called them "electronic checks." A lawyer for the organization also said nothing was fabricated.