Published: January 29, 2010 09:45 am      

Gov. blasts DOT, accuses agency of breaking law

ATLANTA (AP) — Gov. Sonny Perdue is blasting the state’s transportation department for refusing to change its accounting practices.

Perdue is calling the move illegal, irresponsible and in defiance of the state auditor.

He says the decision has hobbled the state’s ability to refinance outstanding bonds for road projects, which would save the agency $22 million.

The Department of Transportation board met Thursday and voted to uphold last week’s decision to reverse a change in its accounting practices — which could affect how road project dollars are spent. The board will delay the reversal until July 1 and is consulting Attorney General Thurbert Baker on the matter.

The department referred questions to members of the DOT board, who could not immediately be reached.